Former Rangers star and Ange Postecoglou's Yokohama F. Marinos replacement Kevin Muscat pleaded with J-League broadcasters to stop European clubs from watching Celtic target Daizen Maeda's hat-trick.
Maeda has now replaced former Vissel Kobe and now Parkhead forward Kyogo as the Japanese top flight's top scorer and he nabbed three against FC Tokyo in an 8-0 hammering.
Muscat admits Maeda is a "dream" to manage because, like Kyogo, he is flexible across the front three.
And the Australian is finding it hard to keep Western clubs in the dark when it comes to the 24-year-old's superb form, as a potential January approach from Scottish Premiership hopefuls Celtic looms.
Interviewed on TV after the game, Muscat quipped: "Please don't broadcast that in Europe!
"He's one of those dream players for a manager because he can play in any position up front across the pitch.
"Daizen is a fantastic player who has the flexibility and speed to play as a target man striker, off the main striker or on either wing.
"It was another great performance from him, but that's what he has been doing all season."
And Maeda admits he's motivated by being crowned Japan's top scorer.
He said: "I really enjoyed that and it was great scoring my second hat-trick of the season, But I have to credit my teammates, who made it easy for me.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't conscious of the honour of being top scorer and I hope I can keep scoring goals.
"My teammates even let me take a penalty which I don't usually take, so it was a very good team effort from all of us."
