Brendan Rodgers has heaped praise on Celtic’s legal team after their successful appeal reduced Daizen Maeda’s Champions League suspension, allowing the Japanese star to feature in tonight’s blockbuster clash against Bayern Munich.
Maeda was initially handed a two-match ban after receiving a red card in the league stage match against Young Boys. However, Celtic’s appeal was triggered after UEFA’s official report used the term “assault” to describe the incident—a description Rodgers and the club found grossly exaggerated.
The Japanese forward was due to return in Germany, having sat out the Villa game, but is now available for both games against Bayern Munich.
When asked if he was surprised by the successful appeal, Rodgers admitted there was initial scepticism about the chances of overturning the decision: [Celtic TV]
“I know, I ran their legs off them for three games!
“And to be fair, the appeal was brilliant by the club. He was always going to serve one game, and then we didn’t get the actual written report until Thursday or Friday last week.
“Then you can’t put in your appeal. But as soon as it did come in, the club put in the appeal, which, with the greatest respect, we were thinking this probably wouldn’t bear fruit.
“And then when I got the call to say he was able to play, I thought, goodness me, he’s played the three full games! He couldn’t have run any more as a striker, as a winger—I played him everywhere!
“But thankfully, he’s just a bundle of energy, so he’ll be OK.
“But, sorry, just answering your question, there was a wee bit of a surprise when it came through.
“But it wasn’t unsurprising because of getting the two games. The assault wasn’t an assault—that was in the report.
“So, I think on that basis alone, the club were great. They appealed it, and thankfully we won.”
Maeda’s return is a massive boost for Celtic, with his relentless work rate, pressing, and goal-scoring form set to play a key role as the Hoops aim to pull off a famous European result.
Since the appeal news broke, fans have been wondering where Brendan Rodgers might play the forward. He usually occupies a spot on the wing, but a hat trick from a central role on Saturday has thrown a spanner in the works.
