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Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers delivers major update on Daizen Maeda’s contract talks as he admits ‘I’m under no illusions’
He's also provided an update on Kasper Schmeichel's injury
NO-ONE at Celtic works harder than Daizen Maeda.
Now Brendan Rodgers insists it’s payback time - with the club set to give the Japanese frontman a new contract he’s earned.
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SunSport broke the news earlier this week that Maeda was set to be offered an extension on his current deal.
Rodgers is behind the plan to reward the 27 year-old - who has scored 28 goals this season and a certainty to sweep the boards at the Player of the Year awards.
He said: “There is that possibility to do that.
“I've spoken with Dermot and the club and spoken with the player.
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“Hopefully in the future that is something that can be done.
“He's been absolutely brilliant for us this season, wherever he's played, however he's played, he's had an amazing season.
“So of course, you would love to tie up one of your best players.
“He doesn't give away much, other than saying he's very happy.
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“But listen, I'm also under no illusions here, that there's very few players that are going to do what Calum MacGregor or James Forrest does and have a lifetime here at Celtic.
“Some players, especially these players that are from other parts of the world, they might fancy a change.
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“It's nothing to do with Celtic or the club or the support, it's just life.
“But all I can do is judge when he's here and he's been brilliant.
“He's still contracted well here to the club.
“But of course, there has been chats around improving that for him because he's grown into one of the top players here.
“Has he earned an improvement?
“There's no doubt, there's absolutely no doubt.
“He earns every penny and we feel as a club he deserves more.
“So we want to do that.
“But of course it has to work both ways.”
Maeda only needs to look at his countryman, Kyogo Furuhashi, who left Celtic in January for pastures new and is maybe regretting it already.
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Rodgers added: “Sometimes you don't realise that until you're gone.
“Sadly, I think we've seen it.
“Also, what I know from my own personal experience in moving away that you sometimes will feel you're going to a better league, or better wages, or whatever it is.
“But the adulation you get as a Celtic player is unrivalled.
“What they feel when they're here, very, very many of them don't ever get that again. That's part of the loss.
“You go away, you'll earn more money, you'll play in maybe a top league.
“But you don't quite get that feeling that you would get here.
“Sometimes, like I say, you don't know that as a player until you've gone.
"But at this moment in time, I'm so happy he is here and he's consistently playing so well.
“Hopefully, he can finish off a great season for him and the team and finish well.”
Celtic will be without No1 Kasper Schmeichel for tomorrow’s clash with Hearts.
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It’s possible the Denmark star won’t play again this season after sustaining a shoulder injury on international duty last week.
Schmeichel still came in for some stinging criticism in his homeland.
But Rodgers has backed his goalkeeper to shake off the knock.
He added: “I don't know what was said, but all I know is where Kasper is and the reason I brought him here, knowing him so well, is because he's still a top-class keeper.
“I think if you look at his performance level for us over the course of the season, he's been absolutely brilliant.
“In big games, he's made big performances.
“And for me, he still has that hunger and that desire to play.
:When criticism comes as a coach, manager, player, sometimes it's not civil.
“Sometimes, it's personal, sadly.
“But what I know with Kasper is he's an outstanding goalkeeper.
“He's been brilliant for this club since he's come in.
“He's been an incredible ambassador and performer for his country.
“And I know in my spell at Leicester, and here working with him, how proud he is to play for Denmark and represent Denmark, and how much he wants to win with Denmark.
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“But sadly as well, sometimes as a goalkeeper, you're in there on your own in some ways.
“But I know his character and mentality and I know how determined he'll be to come back.
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Rodgers added: “He’ll come in and play.
“He's a very talented young goalkeeper.
“That's why we brought him here. He had a very, very good pre-season.
“He's been outstanding in training and I've seen him grow and develop.
“But of course, with every player, it's when you're out in the arena of Celtic and beyond that, that's when you're measured and when you're judged.
“But I've got no qualms with putting him in.”
Rodgers expects a tough game from Hearts after Celtic’s Old Firm defeat. But he wants his side to start better than they did against Rangers.
He added: “It'll be a really good game.
“After a really difficult start for Hearts this season, they've obviously moved up the table well.
“They’ve settled in well and now they're up in that top six and they want to stay there.
"It'll be a really difficult game for us.
“They've moved to a diamond in their structure and I know it gives you attacking options in the game.
“So we have to respect that quality.
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“But for me, we're at home, and we need to impose our authority on the game from the very first whistle, rather than wait for 20 minutes or 30 minutes to do that.
“So that's on us to do that and make it really, really difficult for Hearts.”
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