Maeda wants to 'continue doing my best in Scotland'

Japan forward Daizen Maeda says he wants "to continue doing my best in Scotland" as he admits to feeling the love from Celtic fans.

There has been speculation about the 28-year-old's future with the Scottish champions after his form tailed off at the start of last season after a big-money transfer reportedly fell through on deadline day.

But he was transformed at the end of the season, scoring in six consecutive matches, including a decisive second in the 3-1 win over Hearts that secured the league title and one in their Scottish Cup final win over Dunfermline Athletic.

That helped secure his place in Japan's squad for the World Cup finals, where he started their 2-2 draw with the Netherlands before being an unused substitute in the 4-0 defeat of Tunisia.

As he prepares for Friday's final Group F game against Sweden, Maeda was asked what he had learned in his four-and-a-half years playing football in Scotland.

"That, if you do your best, the supporters will feel it, and they'll want to root for you," he said.

"So I want to continue doing my best in Scotland."

Told that a female member of Scotland's back-room staff had said "tell him I love him", Maeda responded: "Getting people to love and accept you, not just in Japan but in foreign countries like Scotland too, is not easy.

"So it makes me so happy that your friend said that."