How Brendan Rodgers views Daizen Maeda's Celtic situation as Hoops hero offers 'saving grace' Jeffrey Schlupp theory

Celtic boss Rodgers has already spoken with Dermot Desmond about enhancing and extending Maeda's deal beyond 2027

Peter Grant reckons Daizen Maeda will only leave Celtic on one condition as he offered his theory on how Brendan Rodgers views it all.

The Hoops boss revealed last week that his star man has earned every penny of an improved deal and that he's already spoken with majority shareholder Dermot Desmond about enhancing and extending his current contract beyond 2027.

Maeda took his Celtic tally for the season to 30 on his 150th appearance for the club as he netted a double in the comfortable 3-0 win over Hearts.

The January departure of Kyogo and lack of replacement brought in sparked questions and confusion amongst the Hoops faithful, but Maeda has more than stepped up to the plate in a central role, with his countryman not even mentioned and struggling at Rennes.

His goal tally is likely to capture the eye of interested suitors and club legend Grant believes his old club will put an offer to the attacker that they feel is more than capable of getting him to put pen to paper.

However, if he turns it down then he is certain they will cash in and Rodgers will be demanding big money to find a suitable replacement.

Speaking on Go Radio, Grant said: "What age is he now? 27? That is the thing. If he wants a five-year deal or something like that for talking sake. Players want that now for that security.

"It is that choice you have to make. We are going to get big bucks for him if someone comes in for him in the summer. That is the only way we will sell him.

"What I think they will try and do is either say 'is he going to sign it? That will be down to him, let's give him the offer we feel we are more than capable of keeping him here with'. If it is not, they will sell him as there will be absolutely no doubt that there will be interest in him when he scores that amount of goals, plays for Japan and the press he does.

"If they can't agree something I am sure that is what Brendan is doing it for. If it is not going to be him, then they better have big momney to bring someone else in right away. I think that is the way that Brendan is looking at it."

Jeffrey Schlupp arrived in the winter window and has impressed on loan from Crystal Palace. His deal is up in the summer and both Rodgers and the player himself have addressed his future in recent weeks.

Kieran Tierney is set to arrive on a free from Arsenal with Greg Taylor looking increasingly likely to head out the door come the end of the season. That would open up a potential left-back slot, but Grant reckons if it was just for right back Schlupp would look elsewhere.

But the fact he can play in multiple positions on the pitch, with Grant touting a left centre-back role, he believes getting him tied down would be a top piece of business.

Asked with Tierney arriving in the summer, if there would be a place in the squad for Schlupp, Grant added: "It depends. The one thing I said about Schlupp when he came in the first place is that he can play different positions.

"It wouldn't surprise me if he can play left centre-back as well. It gives you that balance and cover there. He can play left midfield, he can play up. There may be certain games Brendan thinks he needs power and a directness. He can play in that position of the pitch.

"It is not just a left-back he would be signing. He is a real good footballer. That could be the saving grace for Celtic.

"If you were saying he was a left-back and know Kieran [Tierney] was coming then I would think Jeffrey Schlupp is just putting himself in the window at this moment in time. If he thought he wasn't going to be the number one left back, I don't think he would sign at Celtic to be a squad player. I think he would go somewhere else to play games.

"I would see him as a player who can play in different positions and I think he would be a very, very good signing if that was the case."