Martin O’Neill is resigned to losing star Celtic trio, although he still hopes for a change of heart…
Martin O’Neill has spoken about the trio of players who are tipped to leave the club in the coming weeks, and like the supporters doesn’t want to see them leave, but knows deep down like the rest of us that he’s fighting a losing battle.
Martin gave his thoughts on Daizen Maeda, and his fellow countryman Reo Hatate, both of whom are tipped to depart Glasgow in the coming weeks.
First up he gave his thoughts on star man Daizen, saying “I think there’s some resignation in that aspect.
“It isn’t one of those where he’s got a year left to run and we want to try and make something of it in the sense of getting money.
“It’s not that at all. Personally speaking, I would love it if he just let his contract run through. And played for the last year.
“Honestly, it would be super. I don’t know whether that’s in his mind or in his agent’s mind.”
MON then added on Reo: “I think that Reo has done exceptionally well at the football club since he arrived.
“People have said he might even have been the best player in Scotland two or three years ago.
I’d love to keep [Maeda] at the football club. He’s done brilliantly, and he’s got a year left to run.
“But I said to him, if he left the football club, I would be obviously disappointed, but he couldn’t have done any more for us.
“And Reo himself, let’s see what options might be around. But if nothing develops, I’d be very happy to keep him.”
Arne Engels who was the subject of an 11th hour bid by EPL side Nottingham Forest in January, looks increasingly likely to leave, with more bids expected for the Belgian, and O’Neill himself seems resigned to losing the clubs record signing.
He said: “If, for instance, all those bids that Nottingham Forest made come in on the 11th hour – that was just a non-goer for us at that particular stage.
“So if some things can happen a bit earlier, then maybe there’s some resignation on my part.”
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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2 Comments
So he should have no excuses when it comes to replacing them ,he’s known since the end of the season and yet we have signed 1 player
Martins starting to sound like a Desmond puppet his lips are moving but fk all is happening ,,,,,,,,again
It’s of no surprise that Engels, Maeda and Hatate were high upon the list of departing players?
Could throw in Calmac, AJ, Paulo and Nygren into the equation also, as there futures are as clear as mud currently?
But MoN already knew of this potential situation, so still surprised that he was prepared to even tackle the situation, by taking on the managerial role for ourselves?
But he has, despite knowing that his core element within the squad building process, is potentially going to be ripped out, and a new one formed?
Personally, that prospect doesn’t concern myself, as our team performances were lacking badly, on such a regular basis last season?
Not buying into this nonsense that our squad wasn’t up to scratch, especially with so many international players within it, playing currently, or even retired from international football, but that experience factor, should count for something, within the demands that exists within our club imo?
And still a few trying to find there way within the international football scene also?
So 3 different managers, struggling to get the performance levels required, continues to be the fault of this board, is utter tripe and one of the worst excuses being put in place for the likes happening imo?
The question still remains as to whether MoN can actually transform our overall squad?
Of course that means nothing, unless the performance levels are improved upon, with more dominant victory scoreline added also?
Still would be very surprised if we are going to become a decent CL level team next season imo, bit to much to expect to actually be achieved, so a longshot moreso, even if not totally impossible imo?
Seems like the knifes are already starting to get sharpened for MoN, within the process involved, which is quite ridiculous still imo?
Quite prepared to wait until the window officially shuts, before making judgements upon what oue squad looks like for the challenges ahead next season?
Even moreso, as no-one has a clue at present, in how MoN intends setting up or team currently?
Which will hugely affect the type of players he is looking to bring into our club?
Despite the potential number of outgoing players, very few go on to having glittering careers elsewhere?
Yet we continue to become cash rich within the process that was formed, and keeping Scottish dominance intact at the same time?
Now progress is wanted in European competition, this despite, ourselves having a very poor record in actually developing players for the likes?
So looking to find it within the transfer market, and potentially lacking with core group squad numbers?
Hence the rumours surrounding so many of the older players, with less sell on value, within our player trading model?
If that’s the changes MoN is looking to introduce, then there will be delays, with the players involved looking for there last big contract on offer to themselves, with the age factor involved?
If that’s the vision of MoN, then fine, but a far more risky approach to be taken, all the same imo?
We were wanting change during this window, which will happen?
But expecting it all to be done overnight is a ridiculous way of looking at the process involved imo?