A MATCH MAED IN HEAVEN FOR KT

Returning Celts ace can't wait to wreak havoc with Duracell Daizen on the left

- MICHAEL GANNON

KIERAN TIERNEY has watched enough of Daizen Maeda from afar to know all about the Celtic star's incredible workmate.

But the returning Hoops hero has been left gobsmacked now he's actually got to see the attacker in the flesh.

Tierney could barely believe his eyes in Portugal the other night when the pair of them came off after forming a very promising partnership for over an hour against Sporting Lisbon.

It was still a sweltering 30 degrees in the Algarve and while he and the rest of the players who came off were buzzing fluids, Maeda was on the deck rattling out press-ups.

Tierney was seriously impressed - and he can't wait to get to work with the wide man on the park.

He said: “Me and Jamesy (Forrest) were sitting on the bench having a recovery shake afterwards, thinking, ‘how hot was that?’. And Daizen was down there doing press-ups! He's a machine, a total machine!

“You think how can he run like that all the time?

“But he’s like that in training as well.

“I've never seen anyone who can sprint like that, consistently sprint and press.

“As a fullback, the amount of times that he helps you defensively as well, so far I've only been a couple of games with him, but it’s a joy to play with him in the side.

“He's not surprised me because I watched him for years.

“However, the fact that he's so consistent in his sprints is incredible.”

Tierney is convinced he can form a formidable link with Maeda - because he's watched him so much on the television it feels like he’s played alongside him for years.