Throughout the January transfer window, Brendan Rodgers repeatedly stressed the need for a new striker, yet Celtic failed to deliver before the deadline.

With Kyogo Furuhashi sold to Rennes, Celtic never secured a replacement, leaving them with only Adam Idah and Johnny Kenny as recognised centre-forwards.

Some speculated that Daizen Maeda, who arrived at Celtic as a striker and regularly plays there for Japan, could move centrally. However, Rodgers was very clear on the matter—while Maeda can play through the middle, the manager wanted to bring in a proper striker instead.

Asked whether he would consider using Maeda as a central striker after Kyogo’s departure, Rodgers made his stance crystal clear:

“He can play through the middle, but I’d still want to bring in another striker,” he told Celtic TV with 10 days remaining in the transfer market.

He continued: “But I still think we need another striker in. Definitely, we want to bring in someone else.”

Despite these words, Celtic failed to sign a replacement, leaving Maeda as a potential emergency option up front—something Rodgers clearly wanted to avoid.

With Johnny Kenny linked with a move back to Shamrock Rovers, Celtic could soon be left with just one recognised striker in Adam Idah. That would force Rodgers to play Maeda centrally, despite him making it abundantly clear that he wanted the Japanese international to remain on the wing.

The January window has now closed, and Celtic must now make do with what they have—but Rodgers’ words suggest the club failed to deliver on his key request.