Celtic forward Daizen Maeda has revealed the influence that Ange Postecoglou has had on his World Cup performances.

The 25-year-old has featured in two of Japan's games in Qatar, starting during their impressive victories against Germany and Spain.

The Samurai Blue takes on Croatia today in the round of 16 as they look to reach the quarter-final stages for the second tournament in a row.

Maeda will be up against Hoops team-mate Josip Juranovic and he has credited his current club boss with developing his game.

Speaking to the Japanese outlet Soccer King, he said: “Of course, as a forward, I always want to score goals, but if I do it for the team, the ball will come one day, as coach [Ange Postecoglou] always says at Celtic.

"If you’re doing it for the team, you’ll get a chance, including a spilled ball.

"If I believe in that and run, I think it will come someday.”

The former Yokohama F Marinos player also explained the importance of the team sticking together in their upcoming match and that despite his constant pressing, he does not feel tired.

 “I don’t know if it’s a lot or a little, but I think it’s necessary if it helps the team," he continued.

"I don’t feel like I’m running out of gas like that, so I’m going as far as I can go.

“Even if I’m playing alone, I’ll be left out, so I’m addicted to it because the team is following me, and I think we’re able to play these kinds of matches because we’re playing tactics as a team, we’re challenging, and we’re successful.”

Meanwhile, former Celtic starlet Jackson Irvine has detailed how surreal it was to play against Argentina captain Lionel Messi.

The midfielder, now on the books of German side St Pauli, was part of the Socceroos team that lost 2-1 to the Argentines in the last 16 of the World Cup.

Despite the disappointment the 29-year-old, who has also had spells at Kilmarnock, Ross County and Hibernian, was keen to stress how delighted he was to play against the former Barcelona man.

Speaking to The Mail+, he said: "For a player like myself, who has never played at the highest level domestically, it was probably the only chance we will ever get to share the pitch with Messi — arguably the greatest player of all time.

"Obviously it’s a bit surreal, but it’s a moment to reflect on at the end of the tournament, I guess."

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