Only Daizen does Daizen things because only Daizen can – Maeda’s irreplaceable | OneFootball

Daizen Maeda as well as being a superb player is also a total professional. Celtic will find it incredibly difficult, even impossible to replace him when he leaves, probably in January or maybe next summer…

Daizen Maeda celebrates after scoring at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Daizen told Celtic he wanted to leave in February

Daizen Maeda has publicly expressed his desire to leave the football club to seek a new challenge, leaving Celtic supporters disappointed as he is without doubt one of if not our most valuable asset.

Apparently Maeda told the club about his wish to take the next step in his career at the end of February and he believed right up until transfer deadline day earlier this month that he’d be allowed to leave the club, with Celtic sitting on a substantial offer for our Japanese talisman.

There was even a report that Daizen had cleared his locker and said his goodbyes but we all know that move never happened amid the turmoil of Celtic’s CEO Michael Nicholson seemingly dithering all summer long then suffering a chaotic, harmful and hugely embarrassing finale to possibly the most frustrating transfer window ever for the Celtic support.

Celtic had many months to identify replacements for Maeda and Kyogo

Daizen though remained calm and speaking while away on international duty that he did indeed have his move all lined up and he was set to go but the deal couldn’t happen due to Celtic’s failings to recruit properly in the transfer window. Celtic sold Kyogo at the end of January and know Maeda wanted to leave at the end of February so it’s hard to understand why around six months notices is not enough for Celtic to source, target and agree deals with replacements?

What is clear to all Celtic supporters is that Daizen is more than just a lively attacker who can both create and score goals aided by his blistering pace, he’s very much a team player who never gives less than one hundred percent when donning those famous green and white hoops.

Daizen Maeda at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

No worries over Daizen’s ongoing commitment to the cause

Of course there was a worry over Daizen’s state of mind after that now much publicised handling of his request  to leave the club during this summer’s  transfer window, but after his display at Rugby Park on Sunday afternoon I think we can put such worries safely to bed.

His superb header which opened the scoring and all round performance was the perfect example of his sharpness and eagerness and the way he emotionally celebrated in front of the supporters is an indicator that we still has the sides best interests at heart. He also confirmed as much with his post-match social media post which we covered on The Celtic Star on Monday.

Daizen Maeda modelling the brand new Celtic FC x adidas Terrace Icons collection

Daizen as well as being a quality player is a total professional, so we should have no worries about his dedication,  effort and commitment to the cause while he is still a Celtic player. And make no mistake, we will find it extremely difficult, or should I say pretty much impossible to replace him when he does ultimately leave.

Only Daizen does Daizen things because only Daizen can.  Enjoy watching him will we can.

Here’s Sebastian Tounekti speaking to The Celtic Star and the three other Celtic fan media outlets yesterday afternoon, watch the video below to hear all the questions and the new Celtic winger’s responses…

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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Celtic in the Eighties by the late, great David Potter is out now on Celtic Star Books.  You can 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.

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