BRENDAN Rodgers has revealed he has held talks with major Celtic shareholder Dermot Desmond about handing Daizen Maeda a contract extension on improved terms – but admitted the on-form Parkhead winger may want to move on and test himself elsewhere.
The Japanese internationalist has been outstanding for the Scottish champions at home and abroad this season and is the favourite to pick up the Player of the Year awards which will be handed out at the end of the season.
The 27-year-old, whose equaliser in the 3-2 defeat by Rangers earlier this month took his personal tally for club and country in the 2024/25 campaign to 29, is under contract until 2027.
Maeda has often been preferred to Adam Idah up front since his countryman Kyogo Furuhashi moved to Rennes in France in a £10m transfer back in January and Rodgers is eager to keep the versatile player in the East End of Glasgow long-term.
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“Absolutely, if there is that possibility to do that,” he said. “I've spoken with Dermot and the club and spoken with the player and hopefully in the future that is something that can be done.
“He's been absolutely brilliant for us this season, wherever he's played, whenever he's played. He's had an amazing season. So, of course, you would love to tie up one of your best players.”
Asked if he thought that Maeda himself was keen to stay in Scotland he said, “He doesn't give away much, other than saying he's very happy. So, I think I'll look and see how he plays.
“But listen, I'm also under no illusions here. There's very few players that are going to do what Calum MacGregor and James Forrest do. Some of these players have a lifetime here.
“All I can do is judge when he's here. He's been brilliant here and he's still contracted well to the club. But, of course, there have been chats around improving that for him, because he's grown into one of the top players here.
“There's no doubt, there's absolutely no doubt, he deserves it. He earns every penny and we feel as a club he deserves more. So we want to do that, but of course it has to work both ways.”
The £1.5m signing is adored by the Celtic supporters – who have started honouring him by chanting his name to the song Tequila by The Champs after he scores a goal – and Rodgers is doubtful that he have the same connection with fans again if he chooses to depart.
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“Sometimes you don't realise that until you're gone,” he said. “Sadly, I think we've seen it. Also, what I know from my own personal experience in moving away, is that you sometimes will feel you're going to a better league, or better wages, or whatever it is, but the adulation you get as a Celtic player is unrivalled.
“What they feel when they're here, very, very many of them don't ever get that again. That's part of the loss. You go away, you'll earn more money, you'll play in maybe a top league, but you don't quite get that feeling that you would get here.
“Sometimes, like I say, you don't know that as a player until you've gone. But at this moment in time, I'm so happy he is here, and he's consistently playing so well. Hopefully, he can finish off a great season for him and the team and finish well.”
