DAIZEN MAEDA will almost certainly take his final bow as a Celtic player in the Scottish Cup showpiece against Dunfermline this afternoon – as CQN forecast SIX months ago.
Martin O’Neill confirmed the news the jet-heeled Japanese frontman would be heading for the Parkhead exit after signing off at Hampden.
Maeda was on the brink of a £14million move to Bundesliga club Wolfsburg last summer only for the deal to be blocked by the Hoops’ hierarchy in the latter stages of the proposed deal.
It was the £1million bargain buy from Yokohoma F Marinos in January 2022 who stepped up to answer the call to replace Kyogo Furuhashi after his international team-mate switched to French outfit Rennes in a £10million deal in January 2025.
FAREWELL TO PARADISE…Daizen Maeda salutes the Celtic fans after playing his part in the champions’ title-sealing 3-1 win over Hearts at Parkhead last weekend.
Maeda moved in from his usual left-wing berth to lead the attack and fired in 18 goals on his way to an astounding 33 strikes as the Hoops claimed a fourth consecutive title.
And it was the 28-year-old speedster who rallied to the cause again when he claimed seven crucial goals in five Premiership outings after the split to propel the team to an extraordinary championship success.
With his contract about to expire next summer, Maeda gets the chance to bow out in style at the national stadium this afternoon.
O’Neill commented: “Daizen has said that if he could get a chance to play in the Premier League, he would want to. I certainly wouldn’t stop him.
“There will be a queue of clubs down there wanting him now after this recent spell.
“If I was around, I wouldn’t stop Daizen from going.
“He deserves it. He has paid his dues at this football club – massively.”
MID-AIR MARVEL…Daizen Maeda takes off before his spectacular overhead-kick soars high into the Rangers’ net for Celtic’s final goal 3-1 triumph at Parkhead earlier this month.
The Irishman, speaking to the Scottish Sun, added: “Daizen’s last seven weeks have been absolutely Larssonesque.
“He has been the galvanising drive for us. He has been amazing.
“Daizen started to score the goals and the boy grabbed the whole thing.”
Maeda has won nine honours in his four and a half years at Celtic – five titles, two Scottish Cups and two League Cups.
Would anyone bet against him going into double figures today?
ALEX’S ANGLE: SAYONARA, DAIZEN
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report and best action images from Celtic v Dunfermline this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
IT’S THE BOOK DEAL OF THE YEAR! You can now own a copy of ‘Celtic 50 Flags Plus One’ AND ‘Celtic Treble Treble’ for only £9.95 plus postage. Two stunning Celtic publications and you can save a massive £20! Order now! Just click the image for details and your books will be on their way. Happy reading!
