Daizen Maeda’s absence from the Player of the Year awards on Sunday night did not go unnoticed, with the Celtic forward reportedly missing from the event following the win at Easter Road.
The timing naturally led to questions. Maeda had left the pitch the hours earlier with discomfort around his foot, and with only a few games left in the season, any sign of a problem draws attention.
He has been a constant in Celtic’s attack. His movement, pressing, and ability to stretch games have shaped how the team plays, especially in tight matches like the one against Hibernian.
So when he was not present at the awards, it quickly became a talking point. Supporters were already watching for updates after seeing him finish the game in some discomfort.
There has now been a calmer view on the situation from those close to it.
Journalist Michael Gannon has indicated that Maeda’s issue looks to be a knock rather than anything serious, with the suggestion being it came from someone standing on his foot. The early feeling is that it’s more soreness than a proper injury, and he is expected to be fine.
That context changes how his absence is viewed. Rather than pointing to a setback, it leans more towards caution after a heavy knock.
There is also the possibility it had nothing to do with injury at all. Players miss events for different reasons, and not every absence links back to fitness.
There is also a line to be respected. Not every detail needs explained publicly, and players are entitled to keep parts of their schedule private.
For Celtic, the focus will stay on the pitch. With three league games left and no room for slip-ups, having Maeda available matters more than whether he attended an event.
The way he left the field, looked serious to me…Hope not.