Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that Daizen Maeda made his feelings on a transfer exit clear to the club earlier this year. The Japanese attacker spoke to the Japanese media and admitted that he had been eager to try something else but that a move was blocked standing Celtic’s shortcomings in quality arrivals.
Speaking at the media conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to Rugby Park, Rodgers revealed that Celtic were made aware of the player’s desire to move on back in February.
“I wasn’t surprised by that because I’ve known since the end of February where Daizen was at, we spoke a lot. He has continued to give everything in his game, in his training and he had a few options to go and it would have been great for him and his family, but it didn’t materialise.
“So it’s now my job to convince him to go again.”
Maeda appears to have made the revelation after the January window but appeared to inspire himself into some of his best performances in the Hoops. This form earned Maeda the POTY accolades from the club and his fellow pros. A number of teams were keen on the player but no deal had transpired as Celtic have failed to adequately plan. It should be Celtic’s model to sell players after their best form to maximise the fee with the fee reinvested into the club and a new player ready to take his place.
