Brendan Rodgers tells Sky why Daizen Maeda hasn’t travelled with the Celtic squad to Aberdeen

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Daizen Maeda has stood above them all this season.

The Celtic Park faithful have witnessed Maeda play the best football of his career in 2025, and take the club to the cusp of another Treble.

On Wednesday night, Brendan Rodgers and his players will get a rehearsal of the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen.

The champions of Scotland will make the trip to Pittodrie to continue celebrating their Premiership crown, with one eye on that upcoming Hampden meeting on May 24.

Over the weekend, Celtic beat Hibernian to dent the Edinburgh club’s third-place hopes, with several stars missing for the home side, including Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston.

But now Rodgers has provided an update on the defensive duo, as well as the PFA Player of the Year, Maeda.

• READ MORE: How Celtic’s Daizen Maeda feels amid transfer interest from West Ham United and Crystal Palace

Daizen Maeda and Cameron Carter-Vickers won’t be involved for Celtic at Aberdeen

After being absent against Hibs, with Auston Trusty playing alongside Liam Scales, it seems as though the same duo will start against Aberdeen.

That’s because Rodgers has confirmed that Carter-Vickers ‘won’t be involved’, but nothing more was provided on top of that.

But the Celtic manager did share that Maeda won’t travel with the squad because he has a ‘slight niggle’, so he doesn’t want to risk it, as he told Sky Sports.

“Cam (Carter-Vickers) won’t be involved against Aberdeen,” shared Rodgers. “Daizen won’t be involved. Just a slight niggle. He could have travelled, and we could have put him on the bench.

“But he is better staying here getting treatment and getting ready for Saturday (against St Mirren), and then the following weekend, so there is no need to risk him.”

Celtic’s Alistair Johnston boost ahead of Aberdeen clash

In recent matches, including during the Glasgow derby last weekend, Anthony Ralston has filled in at right-back for Celtic.

Ralston got an assist to his name for the win against Hibs, but he might now find himself back on the bench.

That’s because regular starter Johnston is back training, and he will be involved against Aberdeen, as Rodgers confirmed.

“But Ali (Johnston) is back,” added the Celtic boss. “He has trained well, and he will play some part in the game.”