Chris Sutton says Celtic ‘rule’ does not apply to Daizen Maeda afer revelation
Daizen Maeda has not followed the same Celtic rule as other players who have wanted to leave the club, Chris Sutton has revealed.
Maeda revealed he asked to leave Celtic during the summer window, but was denied his request by the club due to a lack of transfer business.
Brendan Rodgers was left frustrated at Celtic’s transfer window, with three players signed after they crashed out of the Champions League to Kairat Almaty.
Kelechi Iheanacho joined Celtic as a free agent after deadline day, after Adam Idah’s exit left Rodgers short of a proven goal scorer.
Chris Sutton weighs in on Daizen Maeda declaration
In the Daily Record [6 September], Sutton stated that Celtic have not followed the same rules with Maeda against previous stars who have wanted to leave the club.
Sutton said: “Throughout the summer we were told if a player wants to go then they have to be allowed to leave.
“That was the case with Kyogo, the same with Nicholas Kuhn. Eventually we’ll probably hear the same about Adam Idah. Their heads were turned so they had to go.
“The message from Celtic was it’s unrealistic to keep a player who has had their head turned and expect the same level of performance and commitment.
“But that rule doesn’t apply to Maeda apparently. Listen, if there is one player who you wouldn’t question when it comes to commitment, even in these circumstances, it’s Daizen Maeda.”
Celtic could sanction January exit for Daizen Maeda
Football Insider Verdict
Maeda is now stuck at Celtic until January, after the 27-year-old did not get his wish to leave Glasgow.
Football Insider exclusively revealed Brentford and Tottenham both held interest in Maeda during the window.
The Japanese international has only registered one goal and two assists this season following on from a spectacular 2024/25 campaign.
| Daizen Maeda | Stats |
| Appearances | 51 |
| Goals | 33 |
| Assists | 12 |
Rodgers would have been expecting more impact from Maeda, and the Celtic boss now has more options to choose from following the signings of Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Sebastian Tounekti.
If those signings had been made earlier in the window, Celtic may have sanctioned Maeda’s exit, and Rodgers will have Jota returning from a long-term injury early next year, meaning a possible departure is still on the cards in January.