Daizen Maeda

I like Ronny and Lenny and I'm old enough to remember Mowbray as a player, so I like him too. I don't think any of them are bad managers; but they're not even a level below Rodgers and Ange, they're 2 or 3 levels below.

It's quite amazing that Rangers have been in the top league for 9 years now and we have won 8 of those 9 titles. Extraordinary, actually. I know that Lenny is responsible for 1-and-a-half of those titles (batting 1.5 from 2.5 is OK); but the main reason for those extraordinary numbers IMHO is that Rodgers and Ange have been levels above any other manager in Scotland.

 

But it was last year’s player of the year Daizen Maeda who starred, playing a big part in the first and third goals, an electric performance on the left of a front three.

The Japan ace has attracted interest from Brentford this summer and has yet to sign the new deal Celtic have tabled.

Rodgers added: “I don't think there have been any developments on that, but he's a professional and his focus is very much on here.”

 

Brendan Rodgers has insisted Daizen Maeda's full focus is on Celtic as he was quizzed on a new deal for the forward.

The Japanese winger - who can be deployed as a central striker - is currently under contract at Celtic until 2027.


However, reports earlier this year suggested club chiefs are keen to extend terms with the electric frontman.

Rodgers, though, has eased expectations of a new deal being imminent as he brushed off a question on a new contract for Maeda.

Asked if there has been any progress on a new contract for the forward after the 4-0 win over Newcastle, Rodgers said: "Not that I'm aware of.

"I don't think there have been any developments on that, but he's a professional and his focus is very much on here."

Rodgers previously said of the forward: "I would think Daizen would be getting interest.


If you’re doing it at a Champions League level, you’re showing you can do it on that stage.

"If you’re scoring goals like he has, working as hard as he does, then of course that will always bring attention.

"Daizen is a great symbol for our team and the collective, he brings the highest level of intensity we want.

"He is deserving of everything he’s getting so far, and he’s developing as a football player."

 

https://x.com/SebEcrivainFoot/status/1946622691814805914