Daizen Maeda earned rave reviews from Rio Ferdinand, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer after his first-half display against Croatia.

The Celtic forward was relentless in his pressing in the World Cup round of 16 clash in Qatar.

And he was rewarded for his endeavour as he opened the scoring before the break as he fired home from close range.

The BBC pundits were left full of praise for the Japanese striker after he bagged just his second international goal.

Lineker hailed Maeda after his "superb first half" before Ferdinand gushed over the striker's output as he insisted: "You wouldn't want to play against that".

Launching into an outpouring of praise, Ferdinand said: "He's been an absolute livewire. I think it's only his second international goal.

"But he's looked like a man possessed up there. You wouldn't want to play against that.

"He's running around, making it difficult for you. With or without the ball he is an absolute nuisance.

"This is the first minute of the game closing the keeper down. 

"You know you're in for it now and that's a catalyst for the others to come behind, 'press behind me'.

"His movement there to get across the front of Lovren was fantastic; takes him away from the ball then comes back across him. Lovren no chance.

"Top drawer movement, just didn't have the final piece of the jigsaw.

"What I like about him is he is always on the move."

Shearer was similarly impressed by the Celtic forward as he joined in the love-in for Maeda.

He added: "He's been a nightmare for them at the back. He's got too much energy for them."

Maeda is up against some familiar faces in the World Cup knockout clash with Japan taking on Croatia.

Celtic team-mate Josip Juranovic started for Croatia at right-back and domestic rival Borna Barisic was in at left-back from the start for his country.

Japan reached the knockout rounds after shock wins over both Germany and Spain in the group stage which was enough to see them top the group - despite defeat to Costa Rica.

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