The forward saw the door closed on a Celtic Park exit last summer but could leave in January
21:02, 20 Nov 2025Updated 13:14, 21 Nov 2025
Celtic hero Daizen Maeda insists he aims to “continue to play well” for the club with a January exit inching closer.
The attacker was the stand-out performer for the Hoops last season as he scooped numerous player of the year awards after banging in 33 goals in all competitions.
However, he has failed to match that form this season and spoke of his disappointment at missing out on a move away from the club last summer while on international duty.
But after a sluggish start to the season under Brendan Rodgers, the forward has shown flashes of his best since the arrival of interim gaffer Martin O’Neill.
Record Sport understands there is still strong interest in the 28-year-old going into the new year and he could finally leave after the club turned down several approaches for the key man in the last couple of windows.
Maeda insists his focus is on his club form no matter where he is with sights set on the World Cup next summer – with the next international break coming up in March.
He told Soccer King after Japan’s win over Bolivia: “We have three to four months off from now, so playing with my team will be extremely important.
“I’m not just saying that to myself, but I think everyone feels the same way. I hope to return to my team, continue to play well, and be able to return in March.”
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda (Image: SNS Group)
Celtic have yet to appoint a permanent replacement for Rodgers with Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy the clear frontrunner.
Former Hoops’ star Charlie Mulgrew reckons that the next man in the hot seat on permanent basis could push for Maeda to remain at the club.
However, he concedes that if the frontman is pushing to leave – after Brentford were keen in the summer alongside major Bundesliga interest – he should be given the go-ahead.
Mulgrew told the Go Radio Football Show: “Maeda is a big one. Is the new manager keeping Maeda? Is he getting let go?
“Martin O’Neill seems to have got a tune out of him and got him back to his old self, but you can’t keep a player for too long if they don’t want to be there and you shouldn’t, because you wouldn’t get the best out of them anyway.
“That is a conversation that needs to be had. If he doesn’t, he should go and the money should be reinvested.”
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