Martin O'Neill has paid tribute to Daizen Maeda following the attacker's move to Ipswich Town. The Japanese international has seized upon the momentum of his impressive final season with the Bhoys and a very solid World Cup, finally landing his Premier League dream.
Maeda has regularly spoken about his desire to play in the English top flight, and he has been offered that opportunity by newly promoted Ipswich Town, who are paying ÂŁ8million upfront and a further ÂŁ2million in add-ons.
The deal is a bargain in some ways, but Celtic's hands were tied, given they only had Maeda under contract for another year, and the player clearly wanted to take his Premier League opportunity now 28 years of age.
O'Neill pleased for Maeda
Speaking this week, Celtic boss O'Neill admitted he was disappointed to lose Maeda, but he also sung the forward's praises, adding that he deserved his opportunity after proving his loyalty to Celtic some time ago.
“He’s been terrific, absolutely terrific. He’s been a bit of a cult hero as well too, but he ended his time with us just on such a high, he was absolutely fantastic for us," O'Neill said.
“And I said at the time that he probably deserved to move on if that was the case. He was in his final year and I think he always wanted to try and play in the Premier League, if that was going to be afforded to him.
“And he’s earned that right, in that aspect. I’m really disappointed that he’s gone, I would love for him to have stayed at the football club, seen his time out and walked away on a free if that was the case next season.
“But it wasn’t to be, and I can understand that from every aspect. Premier League, it’s also wages-wise something that we probably couldn’t compete with. Not that he wanted to stop.
“In fairness I think he turned down a big offer from us 18 months ago to stay just on the same wages, because this is something he wanted to.
“That I believe is the case and hopefully I’m not holed up on that and find out it’s not true. But I think that was the case, and he deserves this opportunity at 28 years of age to go and play there.
“Again, just a general disappointment with us. We’ve got used to it because we haven’t seen him around for the last couple of weeks. But overall there is no question we will miss him.”
Celtic fans will feel similarly to O'Neill, wishing Maeda well in the Premier League and pleased that he has realised his dream, but also knowing he will be mightily difficult to replace.
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