It came as a shock to many that Daizen Maeda could be raring to go for Celtic’s game against Hearts in the Scottish Premiership next weekend.
Although he suffered a hamstring injury setback, CeltsAreHere exclusively revealed that the winger is back running and could make a sensational, rapid return.
Particularly ahead of several crucial matches that could define Celtic’s season, having a player as key as Maeda back in the team would be colossal.
He does frustrate at times but on the whole, throughout the campaign, the 26-year-old has delivered on numerous occasions.
Especially because two of the Bhoys’ six remaining games are against Rangers, Maeda being fit again is significant. In Glasgow derbies, he is a different animal.
He has scored in two of Celtic’s last three visits to Ibrox and usually, he manages to keep James Tavernier quiet when up against him.
Clyde 1 Superscoreboard pundit Mark Wilson would have the mercurial Japanese wide-man in the team ‘all day’ if he is fit.
He said: [Clyde 1 Superscoreboard] “If he has been out injured, he’s only missed the last couple of games, he’s not going to lose a lot of sharpness within that.
“To be fair to the player, they have to be careful. He doesn’t want to miss well into pre-season and next season and again for the manager and player, it’s all about forward-thinking.
“But if there’s a chance that he thinks he’s going to be okay and the medical team clear it, I would have him in that starting lineup all day against Rangers.”
