“The only name I’ve heard linked” – Hugh Keevins on two Celtic outgoings and tells club to keep ‘fabulous’ player

Right, before you all start, I know it’s Hugh Keevins. I also know that he gets more things wrong than he does correct but like I always say (sometimes) a broken clock is correct twice a day.

The veteran journalist has a habit of getting his Celtic news wrong but on this occasion, I feel myself agreeing with him. On both his views of Josip Juranovic and Daizen Maeda.

Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, Keevins said, “The only name I’ve heard that linked to Juranovic has been Monza in Serie A and the fee being talked about £7 million now.

“I understand that you might want to go abroad and Serie A is an attractive proposition but not necessarily at a club like Monza where life will be a bit of a struggle.

“The money is not anything like the kind of money that Celtic thought they might get for Juranovic.

“He is in an unfortunate position. He now has to bide his time, hope there are bigger clubs than Monza come along. Hope that there’s better money involved.

“So he’s in an unfortunate position.

“With Daizen Maeda, I think there comes a point where Celtic, as a club, are obliged to keep their best players.

“If Juranovic went, the replacement is already there in Alistair Johnson.

“But Daizen Maeda, I said it when he scored the goal at Ibrox on Monday, people said he wasn’t a natural goal scorer. He scored a fabulous goal against Hibs at Easter Road, and a few days later, he follows up with our very, very good finish.

“I think Celtic are obliged to keep him on the premises. If Juranovic goes, that’s a different story.”

If Monza do get Juranovic, the Croatian will lose all credibility as far as I am concerned about progressing his career. Yes, it’s the Serie A, but Monza? Really?

Relegation candidates and a small club. Only way is backwards if he makes this move.

As for Maeda. I’ve always liked him. Celtic MUST strive to keep him at the club.

He is now the kind of player I knew he could be and he is starting to flourish after benefitting from a good World Cup.