Joe Hart says Celtic teammate makes the ‘hairs on the back of his neck stand up’

Joe Hart is a Celtic player who wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s as honest as any player can be in his interviews so when he speaks, the fans tend to listen.

One of Ange Postecoglou’s first signings in the summer of 2021, Hart brought stability and leadership to a Celtic defence that was devoid of steeliness the season before and the former England international quickly showed what he was capable of in his maiden season for Celtic.

In 54 appearances, Hart kept 26 clean sheets in a season where Postecoglou had to rebuild the Celtic first team. [Transfermarkt]

And today, Hart paid tribute to another Celtic teammate who joined him at the club the following December and helped to seal the league title.

Daizen Maeda has ‘ ice running through his veins’

Daizen Maeda has been a superb signing for Celtic since his move from Yokohama F Marinos. 28 goals and 15 assists from the energetic winger have contributed to the Japan international picking up five winner’s medals during his time at the club.

And after making a miraculous recovery from his injury this week, Hart paid tribute to his teaMMAte who he believes was out for the rest of the season.

Hart said [Daily Record print edition page 38], “Daizen Maeda, whose hamstring was supposedly hanging off the bone, looked like he had been shot out of a cannon when he came on.

“I don’t know Daizen because there’s ice running through his veins, but for me it makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

“It was tough as a squad when we got the news – we thought he was going to miss the rest of the season.

“It was innocuous, he finished the Game against Rangers. We didn’t know how or when it had happened – it’s hard to know with Daizen because he doesn’t say much.

“But as a medical staff, as a team and as a person, we’ve got to give them credit. To be ready to not only play but to impact a Game like that was quite special.”

Maeda will undoubtedly be given the nod to start against Rangers on Saturday after coming off the bench in the 3-0 win against Hearts last weekend.

The Japanese winger has been a pivotal player for Celtic in the Glasgow Derby and Brendan Rodgers and the fans will be more confident of securing a positive result against our rivals with him back in the team.