Daizen Maeda saga 'one to watch' after Celtic send strong transfer message

Celtic have been sent a strong message following their saga involving Daizen Maeda over the international break.

Maeda made comments over the international break regarding his desire to exit Celtic Park in the summer transfer window.

Brendan Rodgers was due to hold crisis talks with Maeda when the Japanese international returned from international duty this week.

Maeda will have to put the transfer saga behind him now the transfer window is closed, with playing time during a World Cup years seemingly crucial for the 27-year-old.

Football Insider exclusively revealed that Celtic were also unwilling to sell the Japanese star in the January transfer window.

Daizen Madea wants out of Celtic

Maeda was named in Rodgers' starting 11 as Celtic looked to regain top spot in the Scottish Premiership away at Kilmarnock on Sunday.

Former Celtic forward Chris Sutton gave his view on how Celtic handled Maeda's transfer saga this summer on Sky Sports.

Speaking on Sunday, 14 September, Sutton said: "If the club don't have an adequate replacement then I think you have to do good what's right for the club.

"I think Celtic have been right in hanging onto Daizen Maeda, does anyone question his commitment to Celtic? Absolutely not.

"We know that he'll graft, he'll work hard, he's under contract, and he'll give his all for the team, that's not in doubt.

"But playing his as a central striker I think Celtic naturally miss his influence off the left, [Kelechi] Iheanacho was signed as an option in the last seconds of the transfer window maybe he can play as a central striker.

"Maeda will give his all as long as he wears a Celtic shirt and it'll be one to watch in January as to whether he'll be offloaded and whether Celtic have an adequate replacement."

Celtic look to take advantage over dismal Rangers start

Watching on at the action taking place at Ibrox yesterday, Celtic would have been keeping an eye on Hearts, instead of Rangers, with a focus on their early season title race.

Rangers fell to a 2-0 defeat to further sink their form in the early stages of the season, sitting 10th in the Scottish Premiership.

Rodgers will know that a win at Kilmarnock would see Celtic regain top spot from Hearts on goal difference.

Celtic will also know that a win for them on Sunday afternoon will give them an early nine point cushion on their Old Firm rivals, something that seemed unfathomable before the season.