Celtic boss plans Daizen Maeda talks after summer transfer turmoil | OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers plans to sit down with Daizen Maeda following his admission that he had hoped to depart Celtic during the club’s abysmal summer transfer window…

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

During his time with the Japan national team over the international break, the Celtic star told local media in his homeland he wanted to leave the club in the summer amid overseas interest, but the Hoops hierarchy refused to sanction a move because they did not have a replacement lined up.

Maeda is expected to return to Lennoxtown today, with the Scottish Sun claiming Rodgers wants a conversation with him to gauge his mindset before Sunday’s Premiership meeting with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

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

The 27-year-old still has two years remaining on his contract and is determined to continue giving his all for the club, though his performances this season have fallen short of the brilliance that earned him the Premiership’s Player of the Year accolades last season.

Throughout the summer transfer window, Maeda was linked with moves to Brentford, Fenerbahce and an unnamed Bundesliga club. With the clock ticking down on his contract, it would not be surprising to see the Japanese forward depart Celtic in January.

Revealing that he wanted to leave Celtic after three trophy-laden years, Maeda said: “I had been talking to Celtic until the last day, but it didn’t work out. I had received an offer and I had been telling the club I wanted to take the next step.”

Daizen Maeda and teammate Reo Hatate are pictured with the Scottish Premiership trophy after the season’s final match against St. Mirren, on May 17, 2025. Photo IMAGO (The Celtic Star)

“But Celtic hadn’t been able to make any good reinforcements, so they couldn’t let me leave. There were some things that I had agreed to personally, so I wanted to take on the challenge.”

“I’d been talking to the club since before the end of the previous season. I always told them I wanted to take the next step — but we had league games and lost in the Champions League qualifiers, so it was difficult. I’ve decided to stay. I want to work hard.”

Brendan Rodgers may well be asked about this matter at today’s media conference at Lennoxtown. Hopefully we’ll get clarity on the club’s position regarding Daizen who may be better off staying at Celtic for the season then using the World Cup stage to get the best move possible.

Benjamin Nygren with Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers during the Premier League match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park on August 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic could sweeten that deal by giving him an improved contract and a commitment that he can leave in the summer if that is his wish. If he is however unsettled and wants to leave in January then the club should respect his wishes, give him that assurance and ask him to give 100% while in a Celtic jersey until the end of the year.

Celtic’s point of difference in developing then selling on players such as Matt O’Riley and Nicolas Kuhn will be dented by this summer when players like Maeda, Yang and even Adam Idah were all caught up in the shambles of a window from the highly paid Celtic suits.

More on the next page from Conor Spence…

Maik Nawrocki continues his comeback from latest injury

Maik Nawrocki trägt ab sofort das 96-Trikot. (Foto: 96/Redaktion)

Celtic loanee Maik Nawrocki continued his comeback from injury by taking part in a friendly game over the international break for Hannover 96…

Celtic v Hearts, Scottish Premiership 29/03/2025. Maik Nawrocki of Celtic during the match at Celtic Park, on 29 March 2025. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie PSI

The Celtic defender, currently on loan at the Bundesliga.2 club, has been sidelined with a muscle injury and has not yet featured in a competitive match for the German side.

Last week, Nawrocki participated in a friendly match as part of his gradual return to full fitness. The 24-year-old featured for 45 minutes in Hannover’s 3-1 victory over Hamburger SV.

Nawrocki began the match in the starting lineup but was substituted at half-time, with Maurice Neubauer taking his place for the second half.

Now, Nawrocki has been tipped to thrive in Germany, with the possibility of a permanent move to Hannover also on the horizon after falling out of favour at Celtic under Brendan Rodgers.

14th May 2025; Pittodrie Scottish Premiership Aberdeen versus Celtic; Maik Nawrocki of Celtic and Pape Habib Gueye of Aberdeen challenge for the ball. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Udinese manager Kosta Runjaic, who previously coached Nawrocki at Legia Warsaw, believes the Polish centre-back has what it takes to succeed.

“Perhaps his move to Celtic came a bit too early for him,” he said. “But I trust him to make a big impression in the second division of German football. He is a very good guy, calm on the ball and he is very technically adept, he has a good passing game and is powerful in the air.”

“I would assume he has matured a lot at Celtic in Scottish football. He can play in a back four or a back three. He has potential and I would expect Hannover to exercise their purchase option in a year.”

In other news, Celtic have revealed the ticket prices for their forthcoming home fixtures in this season’s Europa League.

Adult season tickets for the four home matches are being offered at £140, averaging £35 per game. Concession tickets cost £112 in total [£28 per game], and tickets for U13’s are priced at £100 [£25 per match].

Conor Spence

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.

Order Celtic in the Eighties today, you’ll be glad you did, it’s a fabulous read!

OUT NOW! Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.

More Stories / Latest News

Celtic boss plans Daizen Maeda talks after summer transfer turmoil

Sep 12 2025, 9:54

Ange Postecoglou reminds English media about his first season Celtic success

Sep 12 2025, 9:26

Celtic ‘not in a good place right now’ reckons Kilmarnock striker

Sep 12 2025, 8:09