Daizen Maeda scoops another Celtic award as he drops future hint with trophy cabinet running out of space
Daizen Maeda says he's putting contract talks on the back burner to concentrate on winning another Treble with Celtic, after being named the SFWA Player of the Year.
The Japanese sensation has been in explosive form this term, scoring 33 goals and hoovering up every top individual award including the SFWA gong which he was unsurprisingly handed tonight.
Boss Brendan Rodgers has made it clear he wants to extend the fans' favourite's current deal beyond 2027.
But with the Hoops also braced for big-money offers, Maeda hinted that he'll wait and see what the summer brings before committing to a new contract.
Maeda said: "This is a world where you never know what's going to happen next.
"This a good team but I need to think about what comes next with my family and everything. Now my focus is on this team.
"I'm not thinking a lot right now because there's still a game to play. I'm thinking about how I spend my day off, so we'll just get the games done, then let's see what happens."
Maeda has lifted an astonishing eight trophies in just three-and-a-half seasons since his bargain £1.7million move from Yokohama F. Marinos.
He also wrote his name in the club's history books by bagging four Champions League goals this campaign—the most since Joe Craig in 1977/78.
Maeda had Bayern Munich's superstars raving about him after terrorising the Bundesliga giants' defence in February's agonising playoff defeat.
And if the 27-year-old decides to stay in Glasgow, Maeda believes the Parkhead side can progress even further in Europe next term.
He said: "Everyone said we did a great performance in the Champions League but we didn't go through to the next stage. I think there's something missing in our team. So for the next seasons, I think we should try to go to the next stage."
Privately, Maeda well have ambitions to play in one of Europe's top five leagues.
He's already had a taste of Portuguese football after a season-long stint at Marítimo in 2019-20.
Maeda scored four in 24 appearances and believes he wouldn't have returned to his homeland had the Covid pandemic not brought the world to a halt.
He said: "I don't think it didn't work well because I was playing for the club. It's just the timing of that club was before and during covid and I had to make a decision for the family.
"It all came to an end, there was a decision to go back. If there hadn't been covid I would have stayed in Europe. It is what it is."
Maeda must be running out of space on his mantlepiece after adding the Scottish Football Writers' Player of the Year prize to his ever-growing collection.
He added: "I'm very happy to receive the award. I think teammates come first and it's because of them I have received this award.
"After that it's managers, coaches, staff, and also of course my parents. I'm really pleased to receive this award for them."
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