No Daizen Maeda concerns after transfer blow – Joe Hart

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The Celtic Star

·8. September 2025

No Daizen Maeda concerns after transfer blow – Joe Hart

Joe Hart has no concerns whatsoever about Daizen Maeda’s mentality after he returns to Celtic from his international commitments with Japan to pick up the pieces of his Celtic career after his promised move fell through on account of Celtic’s failing in their recruitment pursuits…

Daizen Maeda theRangers v Celtic, 31 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Maeda revealed that he had a deal agreed to leave Celtic but it turned out to be conditional on replacements being found for both himself and also Kyogo Furuhashi who left the club late in the January transfer window.

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To complicate matters further Celtic also decided to sell Adam Idah to Swansea City on deadline day, a move that may not have pleased Brendan Rodgers who had a few days before said that the Ireland international striker could only be allowed to leave if a replacement was signed.

It’s clear that Maeda has had his mind elsewhere as he has certainly had a subdued start to the season. Whether he’ll seek assurances from the club about an exit in January remains to be seen but for now all he can do is regain his mojo and of course that is not only crucial for Celtic, but also Daizen himself as he looks towards the World Cup next summer.

theRangers v Celtic, 31 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“Daizen is one of the most matter-of-fact people I’ve ever met. He comes in to do business. Whichever shirt he represents, he will represent,” Joe Hart told the media at the weekend as he returned to Celtic Park for the veterans charity match, which seemed to sidestep the fan media this time around, thus the lack of coverage.

“Now that window’s closed, whatever’s gone on, I don’t know. I don’t personally know the conversations or how far down the line he got,” Joe Hart said as reported by Daily Record. “It’s none of my business to be honest, but I know now that window’s shut, Daizen will be out there to give his all and perform well for Celtic because they’re his employers and they’re the team and the fans who absolutely adore him.”

Brendon Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, looks on prior to the match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on August 31, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Brendan Rodgers, Hart believes, has the experience and the man-management skills necessary to handle what is an increasing fraught and complex situation at the club, with the supporters being really unhappy with the Celtic Board for their transfer window failings and their complete and utter lack of ambition to take the club forward. Votes of no confidence have been passed by the CSA, AICSC, and the Affiliation plus all the ultras groups and The Celtic Trust. Many hundreds of CSCs have signed a protest letter to the board asking for answers to particular questions and just about all of the fan media outlets have done the same with maybe one notable exception, but that’s hardly a surprise.

Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart celebrates the second goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC v St Mirren at Celtic Park Stadium on May 18, 2024. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Asked if he believed Brendan Rodgers could navigate his way through this to have a good season, the former Celtic goalkeeper had absolutely no doubts about that.

“Of course I still have that belief. There are so many players I know in there.It’s a turbulent transfer window for a club that has ins and outs. There’s no getting away from it, especially with it going on now during a season.

“It’s hard. Players will be talking about leaving, players will be talking about coming and there’s so much more in-between as we all know.

“You guys know enough behind the scenes what goes on. But to have that transfer window closed, you draw a line under it. This is your team, this is your squad to go forward and have a successful league campaign, cup campaign.

Brendan Rodgers and Joe Hart of the Scottish Celtic FC looks ahead to the first match in the group stage of the Champions League against Feyenoord during a press conference in De Kuip. ANP OLAF KRAAK

“And the Europa League, I know it’s not the competition everyone wants to be in, but it’s still a magnificent tournament to play in. I really believe that this team can stamp its authority in it.

“So, look, what’s done is done. September 1 came, international window, squad’s in the building. They’ll have a great talk when everyone’s in and they’ll be looking forward to that Kilmarnock game. And they’ll be ready to go.”

Rodgers will have his own vote of confidence of sorts about the Celtic Board if they actually got round to offering him a contract. It has to be said that while supporters waited with expectations high, it was the manager who was pushing hard for quality additions to the squad and ahead of flag day he told the media at Lennoxtown (including The Celtic Star) that he would NOT stay on at Celtic beyond his three year contract if they was no ambition to take the club further on the European stage.

Probably not even in his darkest estimate could Rodgers have thought it would end up as badly as it has, only for the club to brief against him in the Sun newspaper on Friday evening. Astonishing really. You can bet Brendan has been watching all this very carefully indeed and must have been as astonished as the rest of us when that 9pom Saturday night statement did more to united the support behind him that any result on the park.

Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart reacts during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on October 11, 2022 (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Yet Joe Hart believes that Brendan will not be distracted by any of this outside noise. “Undoubtedly, they’re a top management team. But a top management team has to endure tough times. And that’s what defines them, that’s what makes them the top managers they are.

“Brendan keeps his cool, keeps organised. John Kennedy keeps his cool, Stevie Woods. You’ve got to be able to endure that, especially at a club like this, especially in the transfer window. And it’s tough.”

We’ll hear from Brendan at his media conference on Friday afternoon round 1.30pm at Lennoxtown. Should be interesting.

Meanwhile we’ve been keeping an eye on the views that Celtic statement on Saturday night has had. Last time we looked it had just gone over 4 million, but at 7pm on Monday evening its now up to…

Celtic Football Club Statement.
– Samstag, 6. September 2025

4.5 million!

Astonishing!

Watch this…

Celtic in the Eighties – Out Now!…

Celtic in the Eighties by the late, great David Potter is out now on Celtic Star Books. Celtic in the Eighties is now available in the Celtic superstore and all other club shops. And don’t forget that you can still purchase your copy directly from Celticstarbooks.com for same day postage.