Martin O’Neill has spoken candidly about Daizen Maeda’s Celtic future, and his comments suggest there is growing acceptance that the Japanese forward could be heading for the exit.
Celtic are currently in Portugal preparing for Tuesday’s pre-season clash with Sporting CP, but Maeda will join up with the squad later after being granted extra time off following his involvement in Japan’s recent World Cup exploits.
The 28-year-old scored his second World Cup goal across two tournaments against Sweden, a game that saw him come up against Celtic teammate Benjamin Nygren. Away from international duty, though, attention has quickly turned back to his club future.
With just one year left on his current contract, Celtic face a decision. Cashing in this summer may be preferable to losing him for nothing next year, but O’Neill would happily see things play out differently.
“I think there’s some resignation in that aspect. It isn’t one of those where he’s got a year left to run and we want to try and make something of it in the sense of getting money. It’s not that at all.
“Personally speaking, I would love it if he just let his contract run through. And played for the last year. Honestly, it would be super.
“I don’t know whether that’s in his mind or in his agent’s mind. After all the experience you’ve had in management, is that experience talking a little bit as well in a situation like that?”
The former Celtic manager then drew comparisons with Henrik Larsson’s final season in Glasgow.
“If I throw back, not every comparison has been made, but Henrik Larsson told me a year before that that was going to be his last year.
“Now, his contract was out at that stage and he was fantastic for us in the final season. But he made it clear that that’s what he was going to do. He had his time.
“Now, the only difference between that is that he’s got a year left to run. That’s all. But it’s not one of us trying to make as much out of it in terms of finance. It’s me, personally. I’d love him to stay. I’m not sure that that’s going to happen.” (RecordSport)
There is a refreshing honesty to O’Neill’s assessment. Rather than pretending everything is under control, he sounds like someone preparing himself for the possibility that one of Celtic’s most important players has reached the end of his time at the club.
If that proves to be the case, Maeda will leave with plenty of credit in the bank.
His four and a half years in Glasgow have been packed with decisive moments, relentless running and a level of commitment few players can match. When Celtic needed him most towards the end of last season, he delivered.
After going three months without a goal, Maeda exploded back into life with nine goals in his final seven appearances, playing a huge part in securing another Premiership title and helping Celtic lift the Scottish Cup.
Replacing that output will not be straightforward.
His pace, pressing and willingness to do the hard work give Celtic something few forwards can offer. Finding another player with that profile will be difficult enough. Adding greater quality in front of goal alongside it is an even bigger task.
O’Neill has already spoken about wanting more attacking options regardless of Maeda’s future. If the Japan international does move on, that need only becomes more pressing.
There is still plenty of work to be done before the transfer window closes. If Maeda leaves, the spotlight will quickly turn to how Celtic respond and whether the board back the manager with the level of investment required.
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