Just when it felt like Celtic’s shambolic summer transfer window couldn’t get any worse, Daizen Maeda dropped a bombshell whilst away on international duty with Japan.
The revelation that Maeda had asked to leave and actually had a move lined up, only for the whole thing to be kiboshed at the last minute by Celtic, should serve as a fresh source of embarrassment for the club.
Keeping hold of unhappy players who want to leave is never a wise policy. Celtic have recent experience of this. They should know that it does not end well.
Back in 2020, when they were bidding to win ten-in-a-row, they insisted on keeping Kristoffer Ajer and Odsonne Edouard despite both players being desperate to move on.
Brendan Rodgers was not the manager back then, but the fact he takes a dim view on wantaway players is simply a matter of public record.
When Kyogo Furuhashi was being linked with a move away from Celtic back at the turn of the year, Rodgers was unequivocal.
Japanese forward Daizen Maeda has not been at his best this season for Celtic
And he revealed while on international duty that a move away from the club has fallen through
Brendan Rodgers has previously stated that he doesn’t want players at the club who are unhappy
‘If a player doesn’t want to be here, then go,’ said Rodgers in January. ‘At that point, the club has to get the best possible deal. I don’t see the point of keeping someone who doesn’t want to be here.’
Hmm. Awkward.
Given the chants of ‘sack the board’ that have echoed out around Celtic Park in recent weeks, the atmosphere around the club has been toxic.
But it hit a new low last weekend when an official club statement effectively washed their hands of all responsibility for the failings in the transfer market.
The statement referenced alleged inaccuracies in the media. There was some waffle about UEFA financial regulations. Then some excuses about how it’s difficult to get deals done. How it was all so ‘regrettable’.
At no point was there any effort to accept responsibility. All it achieved was to further alienate and antagonise a fanbase who were already on the brink of spontaneous combustion.
A fanbase who have already declared war on the club’s board, and with key players openly expressing a desire to leave, it’s starting to feel like 2020 all over again.
Back then, Rangers finally got their act together under Steven Gerrard and were able to pounce on Celtic’s implosion.
In the here and now, can anyone step up and challenge them? Because one thing’s certain. Celtic are more vulnerable now than they ever have been across Rodgers’ two spells in charge.
