Bad blood between fans and Celts chiefs means it might be the first time directors have copped flak for keeping one of their top players

RAIZEN MAEDA revealing he fancied a change of scenery this summer should not have come as a shock to anyone at Parkhead.

- MICHAEL GANNON

In fact, they should've helped him hire a removal firm.

That's not a slight on last season's Player of the Year. It's just recognition it was probably the right time to wish each other all the best for the future.

It's the entire point of Celtic's recruitment operation.

Maeda was heading into the final two years of his contract and he will be 28 soon, on the back of a proper purple patch.

He was at his maximum value at the end of last term and wanted to secure perhaps the last big move of his career, to set him and his family up.

Supporters would have been sad to see him go but there would be no hard feelings.

Maeda's place in the hearts of punters would be secure forever and Celtic would have another one of those big tasty cheques in the bank.

Ex-boss Ange Postecoglou warned the fans a few years ago not to get too attached to their heroes and that's something they've got used to.

They know these assets have to be flipped. Get a couple of seasons out of them and sell for a nice profit. Bring in the next one and rinse and repeat.

That is the model. Denying the guy a mega-money move on the final day of the window because of blundering in the previous 80 or so is not.