Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has stated that he’ll make his final decision on Daizen Maeda after he speaks to the player and gets his verdict on it.
Celtic fans have been left wondering whether Maeda will be able to feature against Rangers tomorrow. The former Yokohama Marinos star was again left on the bench for Japan’s World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia. He did come on for the final 20 minutes, but it’s hardly a length of time that will drain his energy.
Ange had already stated heading into today that he could potentially put Daizen on the bench if he didn’t start for Japan this morning [The National].
And after that came to fruition, the Celtic manager certainly painted a positive picture regarding whether he’ll be available as he explained Maeda will arrive back in Glasgow tomorrow morning.
“Look he only played 20 minutes so we’ll have to see. He arrives tomorrow morning and we’ll see how he feels. He won’t be starting tomorrow obviously because he’s played some football. But again it’ll be up to him. I know him pretty well and the kind of character he is.
“So I think I’ll get a pretty good indication when I speak to him about how he feels and he’ll be honest enough to say whether he’s up for it or not. So there’s a chance he’ll be included.”
Daizen Maeda Celtic involvement to be down to the player
It’s one heck of a journey heading back to Glasgow from Japan. You have to imagine, even if Maeda was hardly used, that he’ll certainly be a touch fatigued tomorrow night.
Ange is right to totally rule him out of starting the game against the Ibrox men. He likely won’t even be able to get much of a training session in before the game either.
All Celtic fans are looking for here is Maeda to make himself an option from the bench. To give us the chance to use that frightening pace he’s got late in the game against tiring Rangers centre-backs.
Ange has more or less said that it will be down to the player. He clearly wants his Japanese international available, especially with Kyogo Furuhashi sidelined for a spell.
If the teamsheet comes out with Daizen available from the bench, it would certainly ramp up the excitement levels in side Celtic Park.
Hopefully that’s what we do indeed spot when the Celtic team is announced. He’s certainly got all of the attributes to impress from the bench.
In other news, “I’m not a liar” Celtic boss’ frustrated response to media’s tiresome Kyogo question
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