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<\/p>\nThe speedster came close to a Parkhead departure last summer but was forced to stay after Hoops failed to secure key transfer targets<\/p>\n
Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring against Rangers(Image: SNS Group)<\/p>\n
Celtic star Daizen Maeda<\/a> wants to realise a lifelong ambition and play in the English Premier League next season.<\/p>\n The Japan international struggled for long spells this season but has rediscovered his magic touch in the final weeks of the campaign, scoring seven times in his last five matches to tee up the Hoops for a winner-takes-all showdown with Hearts.<\/p>\n But the 28-year-old was close to joining Wolfsburg last summer and in another bombshell admits he has his sights set on a move to England’s top tier.<\/p>\n Speaking to Japanese publication FootballZone, he said: “I want to take the next step and play in the Premier League<\/a>, which has always been my goal. Right now, I\u2019m grateful to Celtic <\/a>and I\u2019m giving it my all.<\/p>\n “But I haven\u2019t seen my limits yet. The Premier League is a dream I\u2019ve been talking about since I was a kid. Even if it\u2019s just for one year, I want to prove just how far my speed can take me at the highest level in the world.<\/p>\n “Staying injury-free and continuing to deliver results. If I can do that, the door to the Premier League and a World Cup<\/a> run beyond the quarterfinals will surely come into view.<\/p>\n “I just keep running, believing in that. In the end, I think it\u2019s best not to overthink things. I focus 100% on soccer when I\u2019m on the pitch. But when I get home, I pick up my kids from school or give them a bath. That switch is just right for me right now.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m different from the sharp-edged player I used to be\u2014I believe I\u2019m at my strongest right now.\u201d<\/p>\n The timing of Maeda’s latest revelation will come as bad news to Hoops fans as the Parkhead giants gear up for this weekend’s title decider at home to Hearts.<\/p>\n Maeda was all set to head to the Bundesliga on deadline day in August after the two parties agreed on a transfer fee.<\/p>\n However, he was ultimately forced to stay in Glasgow’s East End after Hoops CEO Michael Nicholson and transfer chiefs were unable to secure a direct replacement for the speedster.<\/p>\n Maeda committed himself to seeing out the season with Celtic \u2013 and has got back amongst the goals in recent weeks after going 17 games without finding the back of the net.<\/p>\n The World Cup bound forward was on target on Wednesday night in the dramatic 3-2 victory over Motherwell at Fit Park.<\/p>\n Maeda got Celts back on level terms after Eliot Watt had given the hosts the lead, and Hoops went onto win the game in dramatic circumstances when Kelechi Iheanacho converted a controversial injury time penalty following Liam Gordon’s equaliser.Hearts remain a point clear at the Premiership summit going into Saturday’s mega finale at Parkhead but interim Martin O’Neill knows that victory will see Celtic lift the league title for the fifth time in succession.<\/p>\n Follow Record Sport on Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a> and Instagram<\/a> for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.<\/p>\n You can get all the news you need on our Celtic<\/a> page and sign up to our newsletters<\/a> to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.<\/p>\n We’re also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Celtic community here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tune in to Hotline Live<\/a> every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport’s newest podcast, Game On<\/a>, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.<\/p>\n Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google\u2019s preferred sources. Click HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n