FORMER goal hero Chris Sutton reckons Celtic’s transfer system has “collapsed” during a shambolic summer window.
Daizen Maeda added to the bewilderment of the champions’ situation by revealing he came close to a deadline-day departure, as CQN reported yesterday.
The Japanese ace, the winner of multiple Player of the Year awards after firing in 33 goals in a prolific campaign, was heading for the exit, but was then told he couldn’t leave because the Hoops did not have a replacement.
It was the same story with South Korean international winger Yang Hyun-jun was about to agree a deal with Birmingham City after a reported £3million offer had been accepted.
Now the player has been recalled with the squad short of reinforcements.
DOWN, BUT NOT OUT…Daizen Maeda reflects on a miss in Kazakhstan.
Brendan Rodgers insisted no-one would be allowed to leave without someone in the wings reedy to take their place.
And then Adam Idah was sold to Swansea City without a back-up in place and the Hoops had to scramble on UEFA deadline day to land free agent Kelechi Iheanacho, released 24 hours earlier by Sevilla.
Looking at the big picture, Sutton said: “We all know Celtic’s transfer window was a total disaster, but Daizen Maeda’s revelation sticks the tin hat on the shambles.
“No wonder the Parkhead board are lying low.
“I have no issue with Celtic denying the player a move. Of course, they could not let him go, given the state the squad was already in and he has two years left on his contract.
“But the entire episode just underlines what a mess the club has made of the summer.
ONE OUT, ONE DELAYED…Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda in happier times last season.
“It is another admission of the collective failure of the recruitment policy – the entire system has collapsed.
“Throughout the summer we were told if a player wants to go then they have to be allowed to leave. That was the case with Kyogo, the same with Nicolas Kuhn.
“Eventually, we’ll probably hear the same about Adam Idah. Their heads were turned so they had to go.
“The message from Celtic was it’s unrealistic to keep a player who has had their head turned and expect the same level of performance and commitment.
“But that rule doesn’t apply to Maeda apparently. Listen, if there is one player who you wouldn’t question when it comes to commitment, even in these circumstances, it’s Daizen Maeda.”
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “I imagine he’ll keep his head down and will get on with it.
LAST KICK…Adam Idah in his final Celtic appearance in Kazakhstan.
“That’s not the point, though. The issue is Celtic not having the structure in place to deal with these eventualities.
“They knew Kyogo wanted to leave, but had no replacement lined up. Kuhn was allowed to depart without others set to come in.
“Idah left on deadline day with no other striker in the building. Now Maeda is being kept against his will because no replacement was waiting in the wings.
“And who goes next? Why would the likes of Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers or Reo Hatate hang around if they don’t see any ambition being shown by the club?
“It’s just another facet of a summer that has been so badly managed it’s on the verge of self sabotage.
“It’s been bewildering to have gone from such a position of strength to complete chaos.”
LOOKING DOWN…Brendan Rodgers has questions to answer.
The one-time England international added: “It really is all a bit farcical and the question is now where do they go from here.
“The squad looks imbalanced and the manager seems at odds with the club, calling them out in recent weeks.
“Rodgers’ contract situation will rumble on, but I think we could be beyond that point now.
“It looks like a manager who is just seeing out his time and a club who are happy to let him do so.
“How else can you view it? And how will that translate to the pitch?”
