Martin O’Neill has admitted he expected Daizen Maeda to leave Celtic last summer and hinted a similar situation could arise again in the coming months.
Maeda was close to a move to VfL Wolfsburg, with the forward keen on a new challenge at the time.
Celtic ultimately blocked the transfer, not having any replacement options lined up for the Japanese international.
But now, the situation has shifted.
With just one year remaining on his contract heading into the summer, the club may be forced into a decision, either extend his deal or cash in.
O’Neill suggested the latter could be the natural outcome if no agreement is reached.
He said:
“He’s got one more year.
“That would be something [new contract] the club, and he would have to be talking about.
“If he didn’t want to stay any longer, then that would be a choice for the football club to try and sell him with a year left to run. I just assume that would be the normal thing.
“But he’s come back to a bit of form, which is great. And I’ll look short-term at this minute and see how he can cope with the next five games.” [Herald]
Maeda has rediscovered form just as the season reaches its decisive phase.
After struggling for goals, he’s now scored three in his last two games, along with contributing two assists, offering a timely reminder of his value.
The short term is the focus for Martin O’Neill, who has a league and Scottish Cup to try and win.
But come summer, Maeda’s future could quickly become one of Celtic’s biggest decisions.
maeda return to form could be the return of Engels im sure it is and with Johnston back even though not many matches he still a big plus nit just defence but attack yhang we might see the benifit in his form yes team is coming toghether some one going to doing in the 5 games to come I dont like to say it but we could do with tribute team to help us draw would be perfect motherwell played well but tribute was wouful in first half and sucker punched in the second half some if our fans have to look at them selfs after stupid protest get these political wannae bees out they embarressed players in europe we werent a champions league team every time we get a good player he leaves not for bigger club its a bigger league and of course money