The forward left Celtic Park last summer after playing a key role in a Premiership and Scottish Cup double

Frustrated Daizen Maeda reckons he has found a "completely different level" of pressure at Ipswich Town after leaving Celtic last summer.

The Japan star made no secret of the fact he wanted to leave the Premiership champions and that his eyes were fixated on a big transfer to the Premier League.

He got his wish as he sealed a switch to the newly promoted Tractor Boys in a deal worth an initial £8million, which could rise to £10million with future add-ons, but it hasn't been a straightforward journey so far.

He has been in and out of Gary O'Neil's starting line-up - having regularly featured off the bench - with the 29-year-old only netting one goal so far, while he has yet to contribute an assist to his new side.

Maeda admitted to media in his homeland, as he prepares for friendlies against Brazil and Paraguay, that he feels a greater burden to score for Ipswich than he did at Celtic.

Discussing his only goal for his new club - which came against Manchester City - Maeda said: "I always thought that a chance would come someday, and I felt like that chance had finally arrived.

"No matter who the opponent is, it's the Premier League, so I wanted to score a goal, but I also believed that if I kept working steadily, a chance would definitely come, so I'm glad that I was able to score in a match that was attracting attention.

""The chances are on a completely different level compared to when I was at Celtic. In that match, there really was only one shot. It was either I scored it or I didn't. Especially as a newly promoted team, I knew I had to score, so I'm glad I was able to score it on the first try. I really feel how important it is to score one goal when you're in the Premier League."

He concedes that his rocky start to the season meant he expected to be left out by Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu. In a brutally honest assessment, the attacker added: "I thought it would be impossible for me to make the national team, but Moriyasu selected me and has continued to use me up to this point. I want to play with a sense of gratitude."

O'Neil has deployed in various positions - including in midfield and at wing-back, while traditionally playing as a striker or winger during his time at Celtic.

But Maeda insists he is still happy south of the border: "Being able to play in various positions is one of my strengths, so I want to play well in whatever position I'm given and help the team get results.

"Instead of sitting back and defending, we've been aggressive and proactive in the previous series of games, so I want to show that attitude in the match against Brazil as well."

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