‘Celtic face crunch Jamie Vardy decision as Daizen Maeda exit nears’
Celtic are facing increasing pressure to sign a new forward this summer, and Jamie Vardy might prove a smart option.
The Hoops cruised to the Scottish Premiership title last season, finishing 17 points clear of arch-rivals Rangers.
Celtic have now won 13 of the last 14 league titles, taking them level on 55 all-time with their Glasgow neighbours.
A key factor in their triumph in 2024/25 was their goalscoring prowess, with Celtic netting a whopping 112 times compared to just 80 from Rangers.
Daizen Maeda attracting Premier League interest
Despite Celtic’s phenomenal team effort in front of goal, it was Rangers who boasted the league’s top scorer, with Cyriel Dessers netting 18 times.
Celtic’s top performer was Daizen Maeda, who bagged 16 times in the league and 33 times overall — including an impressive four goals in nine Champions League outings.
However, the Japan international is more comfortable on the wing and has only played as a centre-forward when required.
What’s more, his exploits last season appear to have attracted the attention of multiple Premier League clubs.
“I think the Premier League interest has turned his head a bit,” former Manchester United and Blackburn scout Mick Brown told Football Insider (28 July).
“With two years left on his contract, he’s going to have a look at all of his options, and this summer he’s going to wait and see what comes up.
“It’s a win-win situation for him because he’s going to be happy to stay at Celtic.
“It isn’t that he wants to leave, but if a Premier League club come in for him, he might want to make that move so he doesn’t want to close that door.
“Signing a new contract now means that opportunity will never come up.
“At this stage, that’s been delayed and he’ll wait and see who comes in for him.”
Celtic to rival Rangers for Jamie Vardy?
Losing Maeda’s goals would undoubtedly increase the pressure on Brendan Rodgers to sign a new No.9.
But perhaps a familiar face in Jamie Vardy can provide a solution.
The two have worked together previously at Leicester City, where Vardy scored 200 goals in 500 appearances to help the club win Premier League, FA Cup, Community Shield and Championship titles before leaving as a free agent this summer.
Rangers are understood to be interested in Vardy, but former Scotland and Manchester City striker Paul Dickov has urged Celtic to make a move for the veteran to effectively become untouchable in the title race.
“Jamie Vardy at 38, has still got a hell of a lot to offer. He’s still got the hunger, and real desire in his game,” said Dickov (22 July).
“I’m sure he has plenty of offers from clubs all over the world, but wherever he chooses will gain a Premier League legend and a wealth of experience.
“Aside from his experience, his goal-scoring hasn’t slowed down. He scored nine goals last season in a poor Leicester team in the most challenging league in the world, so he will score plenty wherever he moves.
“It’s difficult to pinpoint where Jamie is going to land, but it could be a real swing in the next couple of seasons of the Scottish Premiership.
“If he went to Celtic, it would make it even more difficult for the rest of the teams to catch them. I would go as far as to say borderline impossible.
“However, if he chose Rangers, he could really drag them closer to Celtic with the goals he would score.
“If he signs for Rangers, Scotland would have a really competitive league next season, which would be great to watch and draw eyes to the games.
“That’s how big a factor he could be, and people keep talking about his age, but he is chasing down defenders as well as he was ten years ago, from what I can see.
“Whoever signs Vardy will have a fantastic asset who will guarantee goals and energy from the front.”