Celtic must learn from Kyogo mistakes as Maeda exit nears

It’s no secret that Daizen Maeda is looking to move on, so it will have come as no surprise to anyone to see the Japanese striker linked with several top clubs with the January window looming…

Daizen Maeda of Celtic
Daizen Maeda of Celtic is seen during the Premier League match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on October 29, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

English top flight sides Brentford, Everton and Leeds United have been credited with interest in the attacker, there’s also well know and with his well known desire to start a new chapter in his career, it’s a cert he will be off come the end of January.

There’s nothing we can do if Daizen wants to go, his mind is set after all, and he’ll go with every Celtic supporters best wishes, but the club have to show that they’ve leaned from their previous mistakes, particularly the one big blunder they made when Daizen’s fellow countrymen and club talisman Kyogo was allowed to move to Rennes last January, without being replaced and indeed that is still the case to this very day.

Kyogo celebrates
Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates scoring the third goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic C and St. Johnstone at Celtic Park on December 29, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

It was sheer incompetence on the board’s part, especially when like Daizen, they knew fine well Kyogo had his heart set on a new challenge elsewhere. Kyogo asked for a transfer in the summer before leaving so Celtic had six months notice. Eighteen months later they still haven’t signed a first pick Celtic striker to replace Kyogo.

Daizen Maeda celebrates with Kasper Schmeichel
Daizen Maeda celebrates with Kasper Schmeichel. Celtic v Kilmarnock, Scottish Premiership Celtic Park, 9 November 2025. Photo Mark Runnacles

Contingency plans should have been in place to bring in a viable replacement, but alas they failed to do so, not that we should be surprised, and it’s a damning indictment on them all that Kyogo still hasn’t been replaced. It’s something that proved to be a blunder of massive proportions, one thats still very much haunting us.

Daizen will be off, make no mistake. Everyone knows it, especially those in charge of club affairs. If they aren’t already searching for a replacement, then hell mend them. Once bitten and all that. We’re all watching, there is no excuse for yet more gross incompetence.

Wilfried Nancy, Head Coach of Columbus Crew
Wilfried Nancy, Head Coach of Columbus Crew SC, looks on during the MLS match between New England Revolution and Columbus Crew at Gillette Stadium on March 01, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Wilfried Nancy appears to be coming in and that’s on the basis that he ‘buys in’ to the club’s recruitment strategy, something that Brendan Rodgers (with good reason) certainly did not, especially the summer.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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About Author

An ordinary everyday Celtic supporters hailing and still residing in Govan in the shadows of the enemy. I’m a season ticket holder. I Witnessed my first Celtic game in 1988 and have attended when I can ever since. Growing up in the 90s I witnessed Celtic at their lowest, and now appreciate the historic success we enjoy today. I enjoy writing about this wonderful football club and hopefully will continue to do so. I’ve always been a keen writer and initially started this a hobby. My ambition is to one day become as good an author as my fellow Celtic Star colleagues.

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2 Comments

  1. Proven goalscorer.
    Injury free.
    European experience.
    Cost no excuse.

    I tip my hat to the guys that have come in and weighed in to assist the “goals for column” , but we have a free transfer on the comeback trail, and two (reasonably exciting) young forwards.
    One of them has a long term injury, and one is going to be taking it careful.

    We need the board, and the new manager, to take this as serious as possible.

  2. Maeda still at the top of his game.
    Kyogo was on the slide and his lack of progress since has proved it.
    Maeda will be the bigger loss.
    Hail Hail.