Brendan Rodgers has poured cold water on speculation that Celtic will make a major move for a new striker in the summer, with Daizen Maeda thriving in the role since the winter transfer window closed.

Celtic invested heavily last summer, bringing in Adam Idah for a reported £9 million, but the Irish striker has yet to establish himself as a regular starter. With Kyogo remaining first-choice until his departure in January, Idah has continued to struggle for consistent game time.

Following Kyogo’s move to Rennes, the Hoops find themselves a striker down from the beginning of the season, yet Rodgers appears more likely to prioritise reinforcements out wide rather than another forward, if his recent comments are anything to go by.

He said: (Celtic TV), “I think he (Daizen Maeda) can be (the main striker). I think it’s one where if we were to move him back on to the side and take him out of the middle, with all due respect it’s probably easier for us to bring in a top winger than it would be a top striker. But he can clearly play the position and I am so happy that he can.”

Celtic have been linked with Mathias Kvistgaarden continually over the last 18 months, but the possibility of a move for the Brøndby striker may be affected by Rodgers’ recent comments, which suggest that if Celtic do dip into the transfer market in the summer, a left-winger will be the primary target, rather than an out-and-out striker.

With Maeda continuing to impress up top, Rodgers seems more than happy with his forward options as things stand. Whether this opinion changes in the coming months will depend on how the end of the season goes, but for now, Celtic supporters may need to ease expectations of a marquee striker arriving in the summer.