Martin O’Neill has already all but confirmed Daizen Maeda’s future at Celtic this summer
Celtic's new manager, Martin O'Neill, has seemingly already confirmed the future of Daizen Maeda.
O'Neill has agreed a one-year contract, with the option of an extra year, to remain at Celtic Park following his successful stint as interim manager.
The 74-year-old managed to guide Celtic to what looked like an unlikely title triumph, and a Scottish Cup.
The form of Maeda, who scored nine goals and contributed two assists in the final seven games of the season proved crucial, but the forward was wanting out of Celtic last summer.
Maeda confirmed publicly that he wanted to leave Glasgow, with O'Neill inadvertently revealing in a press conference that the 28-year-old had a move to Wolfsburg collapsing on deadline day.
Pressed throughout the season about Maeda's future, O'Neill's comments suggest that the forward will be departing.
Martin O'Neill prepared for Daizen Maeda exit
In his pre-match press conference before the Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline, O'Neill addressed Maeda's future head on.
O'Neill said in May: "If I was around, I wouldn’t stop Daizen from going.
"He deserves it. He has paid his dues at this football club massively. Daizen’s last seven weeks have been absolutely Larssonesque."
O'Neill later added: "Daizen has said that if he could get a chance to play in the Premier League, he would want to. I certainly wouldn’t stop him.
"There will be a queue of clubs wanting him down there now after this recent spell."
At the time, O'Neill was meant to step aside at the end of the season for a new manager to take over at Celtic.
Having now signed a deal to remain at the club, Celtic fans should prepare for Maeda to leave before the end of the summer transfer window.
Sources previously confirmed to Football Insider that Celtic would not stand in the way of Maeda leaving the club.
Daizen Maeda has perfect shop window ahead
Celtic will be hoping that Maeda's strong form can continue into this summer's World Cup to raise his value further.
Maeda has been selected in Japan's final squad for the tournament and is in contention to start their opening group stage match against the Netherlands.
Celtic currently value Maeda at between £15million and £20m, which would represent a significant profit from when Ange Postecoglou bought him to Glasgow for just £1.5m.