Daizen Maeda makes Celtic confession he can't explain as he puts transfer trigger on hold

Celtic star Daizen Maeda admits he struggles to explain his early season struggles in Glasgow's east end last season. And the forward insists his focus is on the World Cup with Japan amid rocketing speculation that he could pull the curtain down on his four year spell with the Hoops. The 28-year-old struggled for long spells this season but rediscovered his magic touch in the final weeks of the campaign - netting crucial goals as the club overcame Hearts to become Premiership champions, and Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup.

But his future is in major doubt a year after the 28-year-old was close to joining Wolfsburg last summer, with a deal collapsing in the final hours of the window. He has already admitted he wants to have a crack at the English Premier League as he approaches the final 12 months of his Celtic deal and boss Martin O'Neill has stated that no one at the club should stand in his way if he wants to move.

While promoting his autobiography in his homeland, Maeda admitted: "I wasn't in great form at the beginning of the season, but I've been getting into better shape towards the end. "I think I can maintain this momentum and get a good result at the World Cup." Pressed on why he struggled, amid speculation the collapse of a switch to Wolfsburg impacted him, he responded: "I don't know the reason. "Even when things weren't going well, I continued to work hard as I always have." Maeda was unwilling to discuss his future - insisting everything was delayed until after the World Cup: "I think there's a good chance this will be my last (World Cup), so I want to enjoy it. "I want to fight with all my might, score goals, and contribute to the team's victory.

I want to show the Japanese people what it means to fight with all your might." Parkhead legend Shunsuke Nakamura is currently assistant in the Japanese national set up, and Maeda notes he is looking forward to working with him in North America: "Shunsuke has always been called a legend of the team at Celtic, so I'm really looking forward to working alongside someone like him." Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources . Click HERE . Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On , every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks. Follow Record Sport on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.