Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has dropped an update on the availability of Daizen Maeda ahead of tonight’s Old Firm clash.
What’s the latest?
Speaking in the buildup to the Glasgow derby (via Clyde 1 Superscoreboard), the Bhoys boss revealed that, despite being involved in Japan’s 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, there is a chance that the 24-year-old centre-forward could feature against Rangers this evening – something he will make a late decision on this afternoon.
Speaking about Maeda’s potential involvement in the Old Firm, the 56-year-old said: “He played 20 minutes [against Saudi Arabia]. I haven’t seen the game and we haven’t spoken to him yet, but I’ll probably have a chat with him and see how he feels. There’s a chance for the squad. He definitely won’t start, [but] there’s a chance [he makes] the squad – we’ll just see how he is.”
Postecoglou will be buzzing
With both Kyogo Furuhashi and Albian Ajeti still being sidelined with hamstring injuries, as well as Giorgos Giakoumakis enduring a torrid afternoon in the Hoops’ 1-0 win over Dundee United last weekend, the news that Maeda could be set to play a part against Rangers is sure to have left Postecoglou buzzing.
Indeed, the £1.44m-rated striker could hardly have got his Celtic career off to a better start in his debut against Hibernian, getting himself of the scoresheet just four minutes into the match, as well as earning a SofaScore match rating of 7.3 – ranking him as the Bhoys’ fourth-best performer on the day.
As such, considering the patchy form of Giakoumakis and the unavailability of both Ajeti and Kyogo, the fact that Maeda looks as if he will be involved in some capacity in Wednesday’s Old Firm clash will undoubtedly come as a major boost to the 56-year-old Hoops manager – who will be desperate to secure a win that would see Celtic take the lead in the Premiership title race.
In other news: Ange axes 23 y/o, “unbelievable” ace starts in 3 changes: Predicted Celtic XI vs Gers