O'Neill is optimistic about Hogg's ability to replace Maida at Celtic

According toSoccernews.

Background

Kasper Hauge, 25, is one of the standout players in the Norwegian league, having impressed for Bodo/Glimt. His ability to score goals and contribute to playmaking makes him an ideal choice to bolster Celtic's attack next season.

Why is this important?

The Kasper Huge deal is considered a strategic move for Celtic to compensate for the departure of Daisen Maeda, who had a huge impact on the team last season. With 17 goals, Maeda has been a key component of Celtic's success in the Scottish Premiership, so signing Hogg could strengthen the attack and give the team an extra boost in the upcoming competitions.

Key points

• O'Neill is optimistic about Hogg's ability to replace Maida at Celtic.
• Celtic are on the verge of signing Kasper Hogg from Bodø/Glimt as a replacement for Daizen Maeda, who has moved to Ipswich.
• Hogh will bring Champions League quality to Celtic, says O’Neill.

Celtic coach Martin O'Neill has expressed his confidence in Kasper Huge's ability to replace Daisen Maeda in the team, as the club approaches completing his transfer from Bodo/Glimt. Celtic's move to include Hogg comes after their last friendly match against AC Milan, which ended in a 2-2 draw, in which new player Camilo Duran produced an outstanding performance.

The news came after Maeda, who scored 17 goals last season, completed his £10m move to Ipswich. Despite Maida's departure, Celtic were quick to secure his replacement, agreeing a deal worth £11m plus some financial add-ons for Hogg.

It is worth noting that Hauge, who is 25 years old, performed exceptionally well in the Norwegian league, scoring 17 goals and providing five assists during the 2025-26 season, and played a prominent role in Bodø reaching the round of 16 of the Champions League. He scored five goals in this tournament, which makes him equal to the record for the most goals scored by a Danish player in a single season, on a par with Nicklas Bendtner and Rasmus Hojlund.

O'Neill commented: "Without going into detail, this is the level of player we are looking for, a player who has scored goals in the Champions League. I hope that the players who join us will be of a certain quality, and that is what will be exciting for our fans. We struggled to score goals for most of last season, and Maeda's contribution in recent weeks has been fantastic, but we needed an established striker. So it will be a big plus for us if we can do that."

However, O'Neill expressed his sadness at the loss of Maeda, who was a big part of the team's success in achieving the domestic double during his second caretaker spell. Maeda joined Celtic in January 2021 and participated in 212 matches, during which he scored 79 goals and provided 39 assists, achieving 10 major titles.

O'Neill said: "Of course I will miss him. He was in the last year of his contract. Before I came here, the club made him a big offer 16 months ago, but he turned it down because he wanted to play in the Premier League or the Bundesliga. So I will miss him, but I am happy for him at the same time. He deserves a move because he was great for the club. We will miss having him around, but Ipswich will get a player that the fans will relate to."

Celtic will begin defending its Scottish Premiership title on August 3 with a match against Dundee.

What's next?

Hogg is expected to start training with Celtic soon, giving him the opportunity to integrate into the team before the start of the new season. O'Neill also hopes that Hogg will be able to perform well in the Scottish Premier League, which could have a positive impact on the team's progress in local and European competitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the result of the Celtic match against AC Milan?

The match ended in a 2-2 draw.

How does Daizen Maeda's transfer affect the Scottish Premiership standings?

The transfer could affect Celtic's performance in the league, as Maeda has been an influential player in the team.

What deal did Celtic conclude to replace Maeda?

Celtic have agreed a deal to sign Kasper Hogg from Bodø/Glimt for £11m.

When will your next match be?

The article does not specify the date of Celtic's next match.

How many goals did Daizen Maeda score last season?

Daisen Maeda scored 17 goals last season.

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