Celtic in ‘massive’ battle to stop Daizen Maeda signing for Premier League club – pundit
Alan Hutton has suggested Daizen Maeda could be tempted away from Celtic by the “massive” draw of playing in the Premier League.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Rangers right-back said the Hoops will want to hold on to Maeda after he was linked with a move to Southampton.
According to footballscotland (6 January), the Saints will be heading north at the weekend to watch the 25-year-old in the Celts’ League Cup semi-final against Kilmarnock on Saturday (14 January).
The attacker is believed to be high on the list for Nathan Jones’ side due in large part to his impressive performances at the World Cup in Qatar.
Southampton sit rock bottom of the Premier League and are among the favourites to be relegated to the Championship at the end of the season.
But Hutton suggested Maeda won’t be completely put off.
“From a Celtic point of view you will be hoping it is unlikely,” he told Football Insider.
“I think he gives something, you even see him against Kilmarnock, his pace in behind, his running power and he creates goals.
“He probably should score more with the attributes that he has. But he definitely gives Celtic that outlet. I would not imagine they would want to sell him.
“I understand that the lure to the Premier League is massive and Southampton need players. He probably gives them something that they do not have. But from a Celtic point of view they will want to hold on to him.“
In other news, a Celtic expert has slammed SFA as talks scheduled – ‘questions have to be asked’.