Frank McAvennie has criticised Daizen Maeda for publicly revealing he wanted to leave Celtic in the summer, describing the decision to speak out as a “catastrophic error.”
The Japanese forward admitted while on international duty that he had agreed terms with another club, only for Celtic to block the move. Brendan Rodgers has since confirmed he has been aware of Maeda’s desire to leave since February, though the player has continued to train and play with full commitment.
Speaking on the Let Me Be Frank podcast, McAvennie said he admired Maeda’s professionalism but felt the comments should never have been made.
“It’s just been a catastrophic amount of errors really when it comes to Maeda coming out and saying that,” McAvennie said. “He didn’t have to say that when he was over in America, he didn’t have to say that.
“I get it, Maeda, he’s done brilliant and tremendous.”
McAvennie’s view reflects the unease around Celtic at the moment, with fan anger at the board already high following a disastrous transfer window and European elimination. The revelation that one of the club’s key attackers wanted out only added to the sense of turmoil.
Rodgers, however, has stressed that it is his job to “convince Maeda to go again” and focus on the season ahead. The 27-year-old returned to scoring form at the weekend with a diving header against Kilmarnock, celebrating by kissing the Celtic badge – though that too has drawn scrutiny given the context of his recent comments.
I was told about his situation back in April from a very good source…although it wasn’t nailed on then…Turns out…it was…As for him publicly confirming it…I don’t think he could win either way….Anyway we now know the score…So let’s just get on with it…Hail hail.
I agree,TN.
It won’t come as such a let down now that we know he wants to take up another challenge.
Perhaps he was trying to add to the pressure already on the “suits” by revealing how much more of a shitshow they have presided over.
I reckon he’s too smart to let that slip out by accident.
Who can blame him,or anyone else,for wanting to leave a club where the custodians have zero ambition to improve the side and only care about how much of a cut they get from any of their machinations ?
Cheers BHB…
What are you talking about “Rodgers has to get Maeda going again”?
What about Rodgers getting RODGERS going instead?
He’s been off the pace himself for close to a full season now! He started out okay last season, but our performances dropped off after the Champions League started. Some good, some really poor.
We almost lost the League Cup final to a very bang average sevco team!
We DID lose the Scottish Cup final to an Aberdeen team we OWNED all season, ESPECIALLY a few days before the final!
We were knocked out of the Champions League by the LOWEST EVER RANKED TEAM in the tournament! Worse still, we couldn’t lay a glove on them over 2010 minutes!
Cap that with failing to score against the worst rangers defence in their entire thirteen year history!
Yes, I think Rodgers has more things to focus on the Daizen Maeda!
The manager doesnt have a time machine. He cant change results of the past but he can try to ensure they dont happen again. Getting Daizen back to form is part of that.
As for the comments from Daizen, we all knew this was in the post. His comments change nothing.
None of us think he will throw the toys out of the pram. That doesn’t appear to be in his nature. To me, his celebrations after his goal were simply telling us that, while here, he will give his all.
Hatate is a different issue. His performances are shocking. Whether that is down to him being coached to be more conservative and reatin the ball better, I dont know, but a time on the bench might be best for him. He can then come on when the opposition are stretched and tired.