Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Daizen Maeda will miss Celtic’s trip to Dundee after picking up a hamstring problem during the win over Motherwell.
Maeda travelled with the Japan national team during the international break in the hope that rest and treatment would see him return to fitness, but he didn’t feature and has now been ruled out of Celtic’s next fixture. Rodgers admitted that the injury is being closely monitored, with the club’s medical staff set to reassess him in the coming days.
It’s a setback for Celtic at a busy stage of the season, and the need for squad rotation already clear. Maeda’s work rate and pressing have made him one of Rodgers’ most trusted players in high-intensity fixtures, and his absence could force a tactical rethink up front.
While the full extent of the issue isn’t yet confirmed, the Irishman’s tone suggested caution, the priority being to avoid a longer-term setback for a player whose relentless energy often sets the tone for Celtic’s style of play.
He said: (TCW), “Daizen Maeda will be out. He felt his hamstring a little bit towards the end of the last game against Motherwell.
“He went away internationally to see if it would get better, but he obviously didn’t play when he was away.
“So, he will miss this weekend, and we’ll assess it after that.”
Maeda’s absence leaves Rodgers with decisions to make in attack. James Forrest, Yang, or Kelechi Iheanacho could all be in contention to fill the void, but none offer the same intensity or defensive work rate that Maeda brings.
With a crucial run of fixtures ahead, including domestic and European tests, Celtic will be hoping the injury isn’t a serious one.
For now, all eyes turn to the squad depth that Rodgers will need to lean on in the weeks to come.
A long journey to Japan that would do more harm and good for a hamstring might have been air chance to take family back home yes players lost his focus on Celtic