Daizen Maeda has confessed he’s playing on this season despite having an issue with his knee. The Celtic star is currently on international duty with Japan, but revealed he’s had to change his routine to make sure he can play through the injury for now.

Speaking to Japanese outlet Hochi, Maeda said: “I have adjusted for about an hour by cycling and jogging before training. I’m going to make adjustments so that I can make it in time for games.”

Celtic has a number of players at the moment suffering niggling injuries. It would have been wise for Maeda to sit this international break out and recover at Lennoxtown. But playing for his country is a great source of pride for the Celtic star.

Soccer Football – Scottish League Cup – Semi Final – Celtic v Kilmarnock – Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – January 14, 2023 Celtic’s Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

We have to hope nothing happens to him while playing for Japan and that the international break as a whole benefits the players who needed an extended rest while they work through their injuries.

We still have to wait to find out about Reo Hatate’s status after going off against Hibernian. The first game back will be against Ross County away while the Glasgow Derby is pencilled in for April 8th. We hope any issues have cleared up by then so Celtic can put their best foot forward for the run-in.

Ange Postecoglou has spoken before about the anxiety of sending your players away on international duty in case they suffer injuries. I think the Celtic fans can relate to that!

1 COMMENT

  1. Cant believe maeda has been allowed to travel for international tournament where rest would do him good after the way Japanese manager has put the spl down to not picking hatate and kyoka manager is not helping our league maybe he’s trying to sell them on Brazil was caught giving caps to players to up there transfer to celtic disgust it goes on if you play for your country even in meaning less games it can help you get visa for other countries fifa are aware of it but its hard to prove I’d say its very common especially in Asia South America

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