Brendan Rodgers says convincing Daizen Maeda to go again for Celtic is similar to the Luis Suarez to Arsenal fallout.
Maeda told Japanese media that he wanted to leave Celtic in the summer, but a transfer exit was denied by the Hoops right up until deadline day.
Rodgers then revealed Maeda told him his intentions in February, but Celtic were not in a position to sell their star man.
When Rodgers was manager of Liverpool in 2013, Arsenal made a £40m + £1 bid for Liverpool’s Suarez, but the move did not materialise.
And the Northern Irishman had to make sure Suarez was in the right frame of mind to attack the season ahead – just like now with Celtic’s Maeda.
Brendan Rodgers looks on before Celtic vs Aberdeen, Daizen Maeda in action during Celtic vs Kairat Almaty
Brendan Rodgers looks on before Celtic vs Aberdeen, Daizen Maeda in action during Celtic vs Kairat Almaty Credit: Mark Runnacles/Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Rodgers compares Daizen Maeda and Suarez situations
Speaking to the press at his pre-Kilmarnock press conference, Rodgers explained that the Maeda situation isn’t new for him to deal with.
He said: “I wasn’t surprised by that because I’ve known since the end of February where Daizen was at. We spoke a lot. He’s continued to give everything in his game and his training.
“He had a few options to go and ones that would have been great for him and his family in terms of his life. But it didn’t materialise.
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“So it’s now my job, now he’s here again, to convince him to go again. And I’ve done that with players before.
“You know, I had Luis Suarez nearly at the end of my first season when it was deemed he was going to Arsenal. I had to convince him he’d stay and then he ended up having an amazing season.
“It’s not new to my career. Players, they will have challenges. But I think everyone sees the integrity of which he works, how he plays and how I can reconnect all of that again, then I’m pretty sure he will give his all whilst he’s playing.”
What did Rodgers say about Suarez to Arsenal saga?
Back in the summer of 2013, Rodgers handled Arsenal’s pursuit of Suarez immeasurably well, as expected given his excellent communication skills.
He said via BBC Sport: “Obviously Arsenal have an interest and they put that interest in with two bids which were nowhere near what the player is worth, and that’s within their right.
“There is a market in football for players but from us the message is constant – we do not want to sell. I’m extremely confident Luis will be here next season.
Per Mertesacker of Arsenal and the Arsenal wall defend as Luis Suarez of Liverpool takes a free kick
Photo by AMA/Corbis via Getty Images
“The offers have come in, as you would expect for one of the world’s leading strikers.
“But as time goes by, I’m gaining more confidence because I have a chance to be with him on a day-to-day basis and he gets the chance to be around his team-mates.
“We’re in total control of the situation as a club and that’s how it will remain.”