Celtic expert outlines why Daizen Maeda must still perform despite exit news
Daizen Maeda has been warned that he must improve his performances for Celtic if he wants to play for Japan at the 2026 World Cup.
During the summer transfer window, Maeda wanted to leave Celtic Park, but he has remained with Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Meanwhile, the forward has failed to score in four Scottish Premiership appearances for the Bhoys so far this term.
Whereas Maeda wanted a move away from Glasgow, Jamie Vardy snubbed Celtic to join Italian top-flight side Cremonese.
Celtic told Daizen Maeda still has motivation to perform
Even though the 27-year-old wants a move away, Football Insider have exclusively revealed that Celtic won’t let Maeda leave in January.
Amid the transfer saga surrounding the forward, Rodgers’ men have earned three wins and a draw from their first four league games.
Meanwhile, speaking on the Daily Record’s Celtic podcast on Thursday, 11 September, Craig Swan said: “I would hate to think that if Daizen Maeda has a poor game that people will automatically think that his head’s not there and guys can’t have poor games.
“Daizen Maeda has had poor games in the past. You have to remember this is a World Cup year as well.
“Japan are in it, he can’t afford to just vanish off the radar. I looked when they played the other day, did he come off the bench?
“He’s not starting so he can’t just vanish off the map and not score any goals for Celtic, or he won’t be going to the World Cup.”
Brendan Rodgers needs Daizen Maeda to step up
Even though Rangers’ struggles mean that Rodgers’ men already appear set to retain their Scottish Premiership title, Celtic failed to qualify for the Champions League, thanks to an embarrassing penalty shootout defeat to Kazakhstan Premier League side Kairat Almaty.
| Daizen Maeda stats | Scottish Premiership 2025/26 |
| Appearances | 4 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 2 |
That poor result in August already means that the Bhoys’ season will lack some of the promise it could have provided.
Consequently, Rodgers needs Maeda to start scoring once again, after he failed to threaten in the 0-0 draw with Rangers on 31 August.
The Japan international notched an impressive return of 33 goals and 11 assists in 51 appearances across all competitions last term, and must pick up his form quickly to emulate last season’s showings.
Meanwhile, the Bhoys are currently level on points with Hearts in the Scottish Premiership table and must beat Kilmarnock on Sunday, 14 September, to retain top spot before their Europa League campaign gets underway.