Daizen Maeda appears set to bring the curtain down on his Celtic career in the most fitting of settings — a Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has indicated that the Japan international forward, who turns 29 later this year, is expected to feature against Dunfermline Athletic on Saturday in what would be his farewell appearance for the club.

End of an era on the left flank

Maeda has been one of the more distinctive presences in Celtic's forward line since arriving in Glasgow, bringing relentless pressing energy and a work rate that endeared him to supporters at Celtic Park. A Scottish Cup final send-off, should it come to pass, would represent a fitting conclusion to his time in the Scottish Premiership.

The news will inevitably prompt questions about where he heads next, though the source material does not confirm any specific destination at this stage. What is clear is that O'Neill views Saturday's showpiece as the natural endpoint of the forward's association with the club.

Keane link resurfaces — then fades

In a curious subplot, Hungarian reports have suggested that Robbie Keane has resigned as manager of Ferencvaros. The former Republic of Ireland striker had previously been linked with a return to Celtic, a club he represented as a player. Whether his reported departure from the Budapest side reignites that speculation remains to be seen, though nothing concrete has emerged to suggest an imminent appointment.

Hearts facing changes this summer

At Tynecastle, there is movement on both the inbound and outbound fronts. York City forward Malachai Fagan-Walcott, 24, has been identified as a transfer target for Hearts, according to reports in the Scottish press. The wide forward has caught the attention of the Edinburgh club following his performances in the lower reaches of the English Football League.

Meanwhile, Hearts could face a battle to retain Australia midfielder Cammy Devlin, 27, with three Major League Soccer clubs reportedly keen on securing his signature. Devlin has been a consistent performer in the heart of the Hearts midfield, and interest from North America underlines the growing appeal of Scottish Premiership players to the MLS market.

Just to weigh up future after World Cup

Further north, Motherwell's New Zealand midfielder Elijah Just, 26, is set to assess his options once the World Cup concludes. Just has been a reliable contributor for Motherwell, and his international commitments this summer could raise his profile sufficiently to attract interest from elsewhere. The club will be hoping to convince him that his future remains at Fir Park.

With the Scottish domestic season drawing to a close, Saturday's Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline Athletic will provide one last opportunity for supporters to bid farewell to Maeda — and for the forward himself to sign off on his own terms.

Frequently asked

When is the Scottish Cup final 2025?
The Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Dunfermline Athletic takes place on Saturday, 24 May 2026, at Hampden Park in Glasgow. Kick-off is expected in the early afternoon UK time, though you should check the official Scottish FA website for the confirmed time.
Is Daizen Maeda leaving Celtic?
According to reports cited by the BBC, Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has indicated that Daizen Maeda is likely to play his final game for the club in the Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline Athletic. No specific next destination has been confirmed publicly at this stage.
Who is Cammy Devlin and why is he linked with MLS?
Cammy Devlin is a 27-year-old Australian midfielder who plays for Hearts in the Scottish Premiership. Three Major League Soccer clubs are reportedly interested in signing him, reflecting the increasing demand for established Scottish Premiership players in the North American league.