Celtic forced to confront Daizen Maeda mistake after latest European disappointment
Celtic may have made a costly financial mistake this summer by keeping Daizen Maeda but the problem may have a simple solution.
The Hoops have endured a difficult start to the season, failing to qualify for the Champions League and dropping into the Europa League as a consequence.
Their first game of UEFA’s second-tier competition saw Celtic draw 1-1 with FK Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade), with plenty of the club’s regular stars failing to inspire with their performances.
However, Maeda was particularly poor, with Brendan Rodgers substituting the 27-year-old at half-time and the decision to stop the forward from leaving in the summer is starting to look like a huge error.
Keeping Daizen Maeda could prove costly for Celtic
Maeda rocked Celtic by requesting a transfer in the summer window, following interest from several Premier League sides and teams around Europe.
The Japan international’s stock was sky-high after scoring 33 goals in all competitions for the Bhoys in the 2024-25 season.
Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider exclusively in July that Maeda’s Celtic exit could fetch the club up to £25million.
However, just three months on, the Hoops would be lucky to get half of that from an interested party, particularly after the striker’s recent showings in Europe.
Maeda has two goals and an assist in five SPFL games this season, but failed to score in either of Celtic‘s games against Kairat Almaty in the Champions League qualifier, and even missed the penalty that condemned Rodgers’ side to a season in the Europa League.
As Hoops legend Chris Sutton put it on X: “A bit of a pickle Celtic are in…”
Kelechi Iheanacho proves his worth as Maeda replacement
Whilst the Hoops have a huge headache when it comes to figuring out what to do with their misfiring forward, an easy solution presented in their draw with Red Star.
Kelechi Iheanacho joined Celtic on a free transfer this summer, and the Nigeria international’s introduction at half-time against the Serbian side was game-changing.
The former Man City man gave his teammates more of a target man to aim for and Rodgers’ side immediately began to look back to their best.
To top it off, Iheanacho scored to give the Bhoys a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute with a well-placed finish into the top corner.
Red Star did find an equaliser through former West Ham man Marko Arnautovic, but the 28-year-old brought Celtic together as a team on the pitch.
Maeda remains the more valuable asset financially speaking, but if Iheanacho continues to perform in Europe, Rodgers will undoubtedly look to use him more frequently, and if the Japanese forward starts pushing for an exit in the winter transfer window, the Hoops may be more inclined to let him go.