DAIZEN MAEDA faces major questions in the summer with his Celtic future in the balance.
The Japanese international striker saw a £14million move to Wolfsburg fall through in August last year.
Maeda, signed by Ange Postecoglou from Yokohama F Marinos for a bargain £1million in January 2022, has just over 12 months of his contract to run.
The 28-year-old frontman who scored an incredible 33 goals last season refused to sign an extension before the kick-off to the current campaign.
And Martin O’Neill admitted he is in the dark over Maeda’s next move.
HAPPY DAIZEN…speedy raider Maeda celebrates scoring Celtic’s opening goal in the 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren at Hampden.
The Hoops interim boss said: “There were talks [last summer]and there was a contract in front of him, which he didn’t sign at the time. I don’t know the position now.
“Wolfsburg were coming in for him and it didn’t materialise. I think obviously he became a bit despondent because it was a chance for him to play in the Bundesliga and all that type of stuff.
“So, that didn’t happen. Maybe his head was all over the place for a while, but he has certainly settled down.
“In terms of what’s happening in the future, I don’t know.
“That would be something the club and he would have to discuss.”
O’Neill, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “If he didn’t want to stay any longer, then that would be a choice for the football club to try and sell him with a year left to run.
PARADISE…Daizen Maeda salutes the Celtic fans after claiming the first of his double in the 3-1 Premiership triumph over Falkirk at Parkhead. Callum McGregor is about to join in.
“I just assume that would be the normal thing. But he’s come back to a bit of form, which is great.
“And I’ll look short-term at this minute and see how he can cope with the next five games.”
Maeda struggled for the bulk of the first part of the campaign and had claimed just one goal in 2026 before his recent welcome revival to form in the last two games against St Mirren and Falkirk.
A couple of jet-propelled performances brought three vital strikes in the 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final win over the Paisley club and in the 3-1 Premiership success over John McGlynn’s side at Parkhead on Saturday.
Maeda is certain to play a key role as the champions head for Easter Road for the crucial league encounter with Hibs on Sunday as the race for the title hurtles towards the finishing tape.
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