Martin O’Neill on latest Daizen Maeda transfer speculation

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The Celtic Star

·7 January 2026

Martin O’Neill on latest Daizen Maeda transfer speculation

Martin O’Neill has addressed the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Daizen Maeda, amid fresh speculation linking the Hoops star with a potential departure…

Celtic Manager Martin O’Neill speaks at a mainstream conference on Tuesday 6th January 2026 at Lennoxtown after returning to the club following the sacking of Wifred Nancy. Photo Andy Buchanan Shutterstock

The Japanese forward previously revealed his frustration after a hoped-for move to an unnamed German Bundesliga side failed to come together before the summer transfer deadline, speaking candidly to reporters in Japan.

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Speaking at his first mainstream media briefing* since stepping in on an interim basis following Wilfried Nancy’s sacking, O’Neill was pressed on Maeda’s long-term prospects at the club.

The 73 year-old acknowledged the speculation but admitted that no clear resolution has yet been reached regarding Daizen’s future.

Daizen Maeda of Celtic arriving at the ground ahead of kick off in the Scottish Premiership match between Livingston and Celtic at Set Fare Arena on December 27, 2025. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

“Will Daizen hang around? I don’t know what’s happened since,” he said via Celtic’s official YouTube channel.

“There’s little point in me saying he’s really happy and wants to stay, and then tomorrow morning he’s gone.”

“I’ll have a word and figure out what he’s thinking through his agent. I think there was a little bit of disappointment that a move didn’t go through. If you’re asking me, I’d love him to stay. But I genuinely don’t know. At the next press conference, I’ll be able to tell you.”

03.01.2026 Celtic v theRangers, Scottish Premiership. Jack Butland saves from Daizen Maeda Photo Kenny Ramsay

O’Neill will be in charge of Celtic’s until the end of the season. The veteran manager has been recalled to the role after the club sacked Nancy after a disastrous 33 days in charge for the Frenchman.

Nancy’s brief spell in charge unravelled quickly, with Celtic suffering six defeats in eight matches. Last weekend’s 3–1 loss to theRangers in the Glasgow Derby ultimately sealed his fate.

Celtic Manager Wilfried Nancy Celtic Team Training and press conference, Lennoxtown Training Ground, 2 January 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

O’Neill is set to begin his latest stint on the touchline this Saturday, when Celtic welcome Jim Goodwin’s Dundee United for an afternoon kick-off at Celtic Park.

Celtic are now third in the table following the Ibrox club beating Aberdeen 2-0 last night, but do have a game in hand. All this because our CEO has overseen Celtic’s worst managerial appointment in the club’s history.

However, there has been no apology of such a costly error with the Lawwell friendly Celtic site yesterday blaming it all on Brendan Rodgers and Dom McKay.

*Celtic’s ban on fan media continues.

Conor Spence

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