WILFRIED NANCY hopes Daizen Maeda sticks around for the long term at Celtic.
The Frenchman is adamant last season’s 33-goal frontman is in his future plans at the champions.
However, the new Hoops boss has remained silent on Maeda’s countryman Reo Hatate who dropped out of the matchday squad for the breakthrough 3-1 win over Aberdeen at Parkhead on Sunday.
There was no sign of the international playmaker and there was no explanation in the aftermatch media conference.
As he prepared for the match against Livingston in West Lothian on Saturday, Nancy was asked about Maeda who came close to leaving the club in the summer only for the proposed switch to be ditched in the late stages of negotiations.
ON THE BALL…Daizen Maeda has impressed Wilfried Nancy.
The former Columbus Crew head coach confirmed he would love to hold onto the pacy attacker and admitted: “Yes, for sure, we’d like to keep him and he knows that. I hope he’s going to stay.
“He’s really happy here. I knew that he had the opportunity to leave before, but for the moment, he’s with us and he’s happy to be here.”
Twenty-eight-year-old Maeda, who is under contract until June 2027, has proved his versatility this year by performing on both wings and through the middle.
Quizzed on the player’s strongest position, Nancy, speaking to the Daily Record, responded: “Both! He’s not a natural winger, I would say, because he’s able to make the run. Instead of when he starts in the middle, he makes the run on the side to attack.
“When he starts on the side, he makes the run towards the net. So this is all about this kind of situation.
“After that, he can be good also as a number nine, but he needs players around him.”
THE FINAL TOUCH…Reo Hatate guides the ball wide of keeper Shamal George for Celtic’s consolation goal in the 3-1 loss to St Mirren in the Premier Sports League Cup showpiece.
Nancy, relieved to beat the Dons following four consecutive losses, added: “He’s a player who can keep the ball, but he likes to make the run and combine.
“It’s all about players around him. But also, tactically, he’s really interesting because when I have him on the side, I know that something will happen.
“Or in behind, or we can use the fact that he’s on the wing to be able to attack through the middle.
“So, it depends.”
Nancy’s squad selection for the meeting with David Martindale’s side is going to be highly interesting.
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