Quick Read
- Charlie Mulgrew believes Celtic should allow Daizen Maeda to leave in January if the player wishes.
- Maeda was named Scottish Premiership Player of the Season for 2024/25 but has reportedly wanted a transfer since summer.
- Premier League clubs Brentford, Everton, and Leeds United have shown interest in Maeda.
- Celtic blocked Maeda’s summer exit due to lack of replacement; his current contract runs until mid-2027.
- Both Mulgrew and Craig Moore feel Maeda’s time at Celtic may be at a ‘dead end’ and reinvestment is needed.
Charlie Mulgrew’s Take: Time for Celtic and Maeda to Move On?
For Celtic supporters, the months leading up to the 2025 January transfer window have been filled with uncertainty and speculation. At the heart of the conversation sits Daizen Maeda, the Japanese forward who, despite being crowned Scottish Premiership Player of the Season for 2024/25, now finds his future at Celtic Park in question. And the loudest voice urging a decisive move? None other than Charlie Mulgrew, the former Celtic defender whose opinions still resonate deeply with the club’s faithful.
Mulgrew’s comments, made to Go Radio and reported by Glasgow World, cut straight to the core: “If the new manager, does he keep Maeda? Is he getting let go? Martin O’Neill seems to have sort of got a tune back out of him, got him working hard, back to his old self. But you can’t keep a player for too long if they don’t want to be there, and you shouldn’t, because you won’t get the best out of him, anyway.”
This isn’t just idle transfer talk. Mulgrew’s words reflect a growing sentiment in Glasgow: sometimes, letting go is the most courageous—and productive—decision a club can make. Especially when the player in question, as Mulgrew notes, “has just over 18 months remaining on his current contract at Celtic, while his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €13.5 million.” That number is the fourth-highest in Scotland, making Maeda a valuable asset not just for his goals, but for the financial flexibility his sale could bring.
Behind the Scenes: Why Maeda’s Exit Feels Inevitable
Maeda’s desire to leave isn’t new. Over the summer, the forward reportedly pushed for a move, only for Celtic to block the transfer on Deadline Day due to insufficient time to secure a replacement. Premier League sides—Brentford, Everton, and Leeds United—have all been mentioned as possible destinations, each eyeing a mid-season swoop for the 28-year-old.
Yet the drama isn’t just about Maeda’s ambitions. Celtic themselves are navigating treacherous waters. Brendan Rodgers’ resignation last month left the club without a permanent manager, with Martin O’Neill stepping in as a stabilizing force. But as 67 Hail Hail highlights, Celtic’s injury list is mounting and the need for fresh faces grows ever more urgent.
Mulgrew’s frankness is matched by fellow ex-Celtic defender Craig Moore, who told Go Radio: “It does feel as though the Japan star has come to a ‘dead end’ in the famous green and white colours. He has got goals in him. He can be an important player, but I don’t know if he is or he isn’t invested still within the football club. You have that feeling as if it’s coming to a dead end, and it’s time to move on.”
Performance, Loyalty, and the Reality of Modern Football
Maeda’s statistics are impressive on paper: 16 goals and 7 assists in 30 appearances last season. But football is rarely just about numbers. Mulgrew and Moore agree that Maeda’s recent form has dipped, and with lingering uncertainty about his commitment to the club, questions of loyalty and performance are impossible to ignore.
Mulgrew asks the hard question: “Who made the final decision not to let him go?” It’s a mystery that gnaws at fans and pundits alike, especially given the club’s urgent need to reinvest and rebuild. As Kyogo Furuhashi’s mid-season move to Rennes last January proved, sometimes both player and club benefit from a well-timed parting of ways.
In football, holding onto a player who’s mentally checked out can backfire. The energy and pressing that made Maeda a fan favorite are hard to maintain if his heart isn’t fully in it. Mulgrew’s advice is clear: “If he doesn’t want to be there, that’s a conversation that needs to be had. If he doesn’t, you should let him go and reinvest the money in more players like that.”
Looking Ahead: Celtic’s January Challenge
With the transfer window fast approaching, Celtic’s leadership faces a daunting set of choices. Do they cash in on Maeda’s value and use the funds to shore up a squad battered by injuries and change? Or do they hold out, hoping a new manager can reignite Maeda’s spark?
The Premier League’s interest only adds urgency. If Celtic do decide to sell, they’ll need to move quickly to secure a replacement—something they failed to do in the summer. Fans and pundits alike are bracing for a pivotal January, where the club’s long-term vision may hinge on the fate of one player.
What’s clear is that Mulgrew’s perspective isn’t just about one transfer. It’s about the difficult, often emotional decisions that define a club’s progress—or stagnation. For Celtic, the crossroads is real, and the next step will shape their season and, perhaps, their future identity.
Mulgrew’s call for a clean break between Celtic and Maeda reflects the pragmatic reality facing top-flight clubs: loyalty and performance must go hand in hand. When that balance tips, decisive action—however painful—can be the catalyst for renewal. Celtic’s January window isn’t just a business opportunity; it’s a test of the club’s willingness to adapt and build for the future.