The Japanese international has five goal involvements in his last two games, after what has been a disappointing season for his standards.

A whopping 45 goal contributions in all competitions for Daizen Maeda last season, has been slightly covered with his campaign this time-out.

His efforts were rewarded with the Player of the Year last season.

Maeda hadn’t scored in the league since the 10th of January before his double against Falkirk on Saturday.

Maeda has burst back into his own self in recent weeks, scoring to put Celtic into another Scottish Cup final and keeping their title hopes alive. However, there is speculation that he will depart the club in the summer, after his well anticipated move to Wolfsburg last year fell through.

On Maeda’s contract situation, Martin O’ Neill said: “I think there were contract talks with him last August. I do know that there were talks and there was a contract in front of him, which he didn’t sign at the time. I don’t know the position now.

“If he didn’t want to stay any longer, then that would be a choice for the club to try and sell him.

“But he’s come back to a bit of form, which is great. I’ll look short-term at this minute and see how he can cope with the next five games.”

Maeda looks to be back to himself, his high intensity pressing has caused serious problems for defences recently. Including a horror mistake from Ryan Mullen to give Celtic the opener in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

The Celtic support will be hoping that Maeda brings delight at the top end of the pitch for the final four games in the league, in hope to retain the Scottish Premiership title.