Celtic told they have a ‘modern-day icon’ who is now ‘irreplaceable’ unlike Nicolas Kuhn

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Celtic are racking up the trophies once again this season.

Brendan Rodgers won the double upon his return last season, but now, Celtic are on for the Treble.

Not forgetting that Celtic progressed in the Champions League this season, which is all great for the club and its long-term success.

But it also puts the key players on the map, more eyes on the prize and at a bigger risk of them leaving during the transfer window.

Before winter hit, you would have stated that Nicolas Kuhn was the main guy for Celtic because he was ripping everyone apart after transforming from the last campaign.

All of that has helped Celtic to where they are now, including winning the League Cup final at Rangers’ expense at Hampden in December.

But interest is growing in Kuhn and the worry is that he won’t be the only one being eyed up when the summer transfer window re-opens.

READ MORE: ‘That’s why’ – Pat Bonner knows the reason Daizen Maeda didn’t start as a striker for Celtic vs St Mirren

Celtic won’t be able to replace Daizen Maeda

Kuhn hasn’t done anything wrong, it’s just that Maeda has taken his game to another level and is now the main man.

That’s 26 goals for the season for the Japan star and Stephen McGinn made it clear that he is now ‘irreplaceable’ at Celtic.

McGinn feels that, if Rodgers is backed, then he could sell and bring in another player to fill in Kuhn’s void, but not with the man down the middle, as he told Go Radio.

“That’s where I am at, there is a price for players,” said McGinn. “Celtic sold Matt O’Riley and then they went out and brought Arne Engels.

“I think Arne Engels, Bernardo and Hatate. They haven’t like-for-like replaced Matt O’Riley. But they have done enough that we aren’t talking about the effect of losing Matt O’Riley.

“I think if the big offer comes in for a Nicolas Kuhn and for a price Celtic are looking for, then I think you would need to be looking to sell.

“I think you could get Brendan, if they back him and they identify the right player, then he is someone who you can replace.

“I don’t think they could replace Daizen Maeda, honestly. What he gives Celtic, in terms of just that he is an 11 out of 10. He is at it every week, in terms of attitude and work rate.

“His quality is getting better. He has a young family. If he is settled here and open to staying at Celtic for the next two to three years, then I would be comfortable with Celtic making him one of the top earners. He is irreplaceable.

“For all the players that they might lose, like I said with O’Riley, with Nicolas Kuhn, there have been a lot of rumours.

“Nicolas Kuhn has been linked with moves for £25 million. Maeda is worth more than that. He is £30 million plus, easy.”

Maeda is a ‘modern-day icon’ at Celtic

Kyogo Furuhashi left Celtic in January in an abrupt manner and joined Rennes. Even to this date, fans are baffled by it.

But it still doesn’t hide the fact that Kyogo is a Celtic legend, as he was one of three Japan stars brought in by Ange Postecoglou.

Whilst Kyogo’s story has ended in Glasgow, Maeda’s is still going and McGinn thinks he is now a ‘modern-day icon’ at Celtic.

“I just think Daizen Maeda is almost a modern-day icon for Celtic fans, in the way that they treat him and speak about him,” added McGinn. 

“There is a strange thing with Daizen Maeda, even with his teammates. You see, sometimes, people decide to shoot and someone will be in a better position. They are holding their hands up saying, ‘I can’t believe you haven’t passed to me’.

“But nobody complains with Maeda because he is that unselfish. He covers that much ground for the team.”