Daizen Maeda 'embarrassed' by Celtic transfer exit collapse as Brendan Rodgers and star risk fan rebellion
The forward has struggled to hit the heights of last season this term after a summer transfer fell apart
Struggling Daizen Maeda will be "embarassed" that his Celtic departure fell apart in the final hours of the window.
And former Scotland winger Kevin Gallacher reckons that the forward could put his relationship with the Parkhead diehards in jeopardy if his form doesn't rapidly improve.
The 27-year-old was the stand-out performer for the Hoops last season as he scooped numerous player of the year awards after banging in 33 goals in all competitions.
However, he has failed to match that form this season and spoke of his disappointment at missing out on a move in the summer transfer window.
The Japan international was hooked by Brendan Rodgers at half-time in Celtic's Europa League opener against Red Star Belgrade last week and was shifted to the right wing in the goalless draw with Hibs on Saturday.
And Gallacher reckons that Maeda will still be coming to terms with his move falling apart - with an exit expected to be back on the table in the winter window.
But the former Dundee United and Blackburn Rovers man has warned Rodgers that continuing to stick with the out of form attacker may not be an option - while Maeda was also told he could "jeopardise" his standing at Celtic Park.
Writing for the Sunday Post, Gallacher said: "What is to be done with Daizen Maeda? Last year's goal-scoring star for Celtic was so bad in Belgrade last Wednesday he got hooked at half-time by manager Brendan Rodgers, who knows well how the striker's head was turned with a summer move that did not come about.
"Maeda would have been excited at the thought of a fresh challenge which suddenly fell through.
"From experience, I can tell you that in these situations, there can be a bit of embarrassment on the part of the player.
"They have maybe given indications to team-mates they will soon be off. They might even have quietly said goodbye to them.
"So, when it doesn't happen, it can be awkward, and they can feel partly responsible for that. The head goes down, the performances suffer and it can become a vicious cycle as no manager can ignore poor form.
"It doesn't matter that you scored over 30 goals the previous season, if you look badly off it on any given day you are going to find yourself on the bench watching your mate playing instead of you.
"That is football. Managers are under pressure to deliver results and that especially holds true at a club the size of Celtic.
"And the players are going to give you a little bit of a ribbing if it goes on. Maybe a wee dig here and there and if that comes then you need the temperament to deal with it.
"Unfortunately for Daizen, there is no magic wand you can wave to make things better.
"You head might be full of *what ifs" but no matter how much you play it in your head, it is not going to change the fact it did not happen.
"As hard as it might be, you must push that out of your mind because the solution is to work hard to recapture your form. Do that and everything starts to get easier.
"If you are not in the team, push hard to get back in. If you get in, but are not scoring goals, keep making the runs, keep finding the space and keep taking shots, because one of them will fly in and that will be you off and running again.
"After all, it is what you do best. It is what you got there in the first place, it is what got 60,000 fans singing your hame and it is what brought the interest from the other clubs who wanted you in the summer.
"Otherwise, what are you going to do? If his intention is just to stay down in the dumps until January, Brendan will see through it and look to other players.
"Football is a short career. Daizen is 27, right at his peak and an international player for Japan, so he does not want to be wasting three months.
"The other thing you risk damaging is your relationship with the fans. Supporters want consistency from players, and their big concern is what happens in games.
"They don't see how the star striker is getting on with the manager, the board or what is going on behind closed doors with his family."