Daizen Maeda saga 'one to watch' after Celtic send strong transfer message
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Charlie Grace
Sun 14 September 2025 17:05, UK
Celtic have been sent a strong message following their saga involving Daizen Maeda over the international break.
Maeda made comments over the international break regarding his desire to exit Celtic Park in the summer transfer window.
Maeda will have to put the transfer saga behind him now the transfer window is closed, with playing time during a World Cup years seemingly crucial for the 27-year-old.
Football Insider exclusively revealed that Celtic were also unwilling to sell the Japanese star in the January transfer window.
Credit: Imago
Maeda was named in Rodgers’ starting 11 as Celtic looked to regain top spot in the Scottish Premiership away at Kilmarnock on Sunday.
Former Celtic forward Chris Sutton gave his view on how Celtic handled Maeda’s transfer saga this summer on Sky Sports.
Credit: Imago
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Speaking on Sunday, 14 September, Sutton said: “If the club don’t have an adequate replacement then I think you have to do good what’s right for the club.
“I think Celtic have been right in hanging onto Daizen Maeda, does anyone question his commitment to Celtic?
“But playing his as a central striker I think Celtic naturally miss his influence off the left, [Kelechi] Iheanacho was signed as an option in the last seconds of the transfer window maybe he can play as a central striker.
“Maeda will give his all as long as he wears a Celtic shirt and it’ll be one to watch in January as to whether he’ll be offloaded and whether Celtic have an adequate replacement.”
Watching on at the action taking place at Ibrox yesterday, Celtic would have been keeping an eye on Hearts, instead of Rangers, with a focus on their early season title race.