Wouldn’t it be remarkable for all the chaos of Wilfried Nancy’s short-lived tenure, for all the explosiveness of Brendan Rodgers’ resignation, if the returning Martin O’Neill were to lead Celtic to Premiership glory this season?
Back at the helm for a second time in 2025/26, the 73-year-old has got the Hoops back winning again, even if Wednesday’s 1-0 triumph over Falkirk wasn’t exactly pretty.
The problem is, however, that six points still separate the Parkhead side from leaders Hearts, with O’Neill’s squad in desperate need of reinforcement if that gap is to be closed any time soon.
A mooted homecoming for Kyogo Furuhashi appears to have been quashed, although talk over new forward additions is beginning to ramp up, not least with Daizen Maeda’s future still up in the air.
Celtic making moves to sign potential Maeda replacement
As revealed by O’Neill this month, Maeda was close to joining Bundesliga side Wolfsburg over the summer, with the Japanese speedster signalling his intention to move on after three-and-a-half years in Glasgow.
There has been no concrete suggestion that the German outfit will come back in for him, although with Andreas Skov Olsen on his way to Rangers, might that all change?
Celtic do, of course, have a wealth of left-wingers already on board, although Michel Ange Balikwisha has yet to get going, Sebastian Tounekti has scored just twice, and Jota is likely to be out for the season.
With that in mind, a new option might be being considered, with Sky Sports suggesting that talks have been held over a deal for Basel forward, Phillip Otele, with enquiries having been made.
As reported elsewhere, the 26-year-old is set to leave the Swiss side this month, with a fee of around £6m having been mooted amid the lengthy list of suitors chasing his signature.
While suggested by Sky to be a striker target for Celtic, Otele is typically deployed off the left at his current side.
Why Otele signing could spell the end for Maeda
While the loss of Adam Idah and Kyogo has forced Maeda into a central role of late, the 28-year-old has typically sparkled off the left during his Parkhead stay, enjoying a remarkable 2024/25 campaign that yielded 33 goals in all competitions.
Eight goals have followed this time around, although the forward’s body language has sparked a feeling of disinterest, having hardly celebrated following his goal against Dundee United.
A departure, be it this month or over the summer, could be hastened if a figure like Otele is brought in in the near future, with the Nigerian likely to represent a real upgrade on the likes of Tounekti and Balikwisha.
Indeed, the in-demand talent already has eight goals to his name this season in Switzerland, taking his total tally to 17 in 51 games in total to date.
Fleet of foot and with pace to burn, Otele has been a consistent scorer and performer wherever he has been in Europe, with his only forgettable period coming at Al Wahda, in which he failed to score or assist in 13 appearances.
|
Otele’s career record |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Club |
Games |
Goals (Assists) |
|
Kauno Zalgiris |
71 |
13 (5) |
|
UTA Arad |
58 |
11 (3) |
|
Basel |
51 |
17 (7) |
|
Cluj |
45 |
18 (8) |
|
Al Wahda |
13 |
0 (0) |
|
Total |
238 |
59 (23) |
A man with two goals under his belt in this year’s Europa League too, he compares favourably to those in his position in the competition, as per FBref, showcasing why he is something of an all-rounder.
He ranks in the top 17% for non-penalty goals, as well as in the top 20% for progressive carries per 90, with that attacking thrust also mirrored in his defensive contribution, ranking in the top 19% for aerial duels won per 90.
Maeda’s importance can be seen in how he ranks in the top 1% for interceptions and the top 13% for assists, although his quality on the ball remains an issue, in contrast to Otele, ranking in the bottom 1% for both progressive carries and progressive passes in the competition.
A pass is considered progressive if the distance between the starting point and the next touch is at least 10 meters closer to the opponent’s goal or any completed pass into the penalty area.
Whether Otele is a genuine upgrade on the former Yokohama man is up for debate, but if Celtic and O’Neill have an eye on securing a replacement for last season’s talisman, then the Basel talent could well be a perfect successor.
Maeda, for what it’s worth, has been a revelation over recent years, but if suitable replacements both on the flanks and at centre-forward can be found, now could be the time to finally cash in.
Celtic have held talks “in the last 48hrs” to sign a £2.6m upgrade on Maeda
Celtic are reportedly eyeing up a deal to sign a prolific striker who would be an upgrade on Daizen Maeda.
