Rodgers urges Maeda to shake off ‘not fair’ mindset as Celtic seek lift after difficult spell

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has told Daizen Maeda to abandon an 'it's not fair' mindset as the forward navigates a difficult spell after last season's 33-goal haul and the club's failure to source a suitable replacement in the transfer window. Maeda was hooked at half-time in Wednesday's Europa League opener against Red Star Belgrade, with Celtic earning a 1-1 draw after the first 45 minutes.

Rodgers acknowledged the strain on Maeda, noting that the Japanese forward has given absolutely everything for Celtic but that subconscious pressures can hold a player back when expectations are high. Maeda's replacement, Kelechi Iheanacho, signed as a free agent the day after deadline day, went on to score in the match.

Rodgers added: 'But, like I say to any player in this situation, it is so important that you don’t get caught up in this sort of mentality of it's not fair, because when you get caught in that, it’s very dangerous territory and it’s hard to move on from. You have to really look forward, really do it for your teammates, do it for your family, do it for your supporters, and then eventually you get confidence back and you start to get back to your normal self.'

The Celtic boss stressed that Maeda's dip is not a case of a lack of effort. 'He’s been an incredible player for this club and I’m pretty sure over these coming weeks he’ll get back to the form that he’s shown,' Rodgers said. 'It’s not a light switch you just flick on and off. This game’s about emotions as well and it can be challenging for players.'

Maeda's situation reflects a broader context from last season: his 33-goal output made him one of Celtic's most potent attackers, and the prospect of a move away last summer was tempered by the club's inability to land a replacement in time. With Iheanacho on the books and Maeda facing a period of adjustment, the focus for Celtic has shifted to recovery and renewed form on the field.

With a Premiership match against Hibernian on the horizon, Rodgers said Maeda will have the opportunity to regain his rhythm in the coming weeks. The manager has expressed continued belief in the forward's quality, stressing that patience and persistence will be key as Maeda seeks to return to peak levels. In the interim, Celtic will lean on the depth of their forward line while supporting Maeda as he navigates this transitional spell.

The response of the squad will be closely watched, but Rodgers remains confident that Maeda can reestablish himself among Celtic's regular contributors. The focus, he indicated, is on performance, resilience, and continuity with the rest of the team as the club pursues domestic and European objectives for the season.