Daizen Maeda is facing six weeks on the sidelines after picking up an injury in Wednesday night’s 6-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid.
Maeda collided with Mario Hermoso on the night and was sent off, having been adjudged to have left his foot in on a 50/50 challenge.
It now seems that Maeda was injured in the incident and is now touch and go to play before the mid-season winter break. The injury news comes from Brendan Rodgers’ press conference today.
Clyde FM reporter Andrew Maclean said on social media site X: “Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers reveals Daizen Maeda is out for six weeks after picking up an injury in the challenge he was sent off for against Atletico Madrid.”
Daizen Maeda injury comes at a bad time for Celtic
It’s a significant blow to Celtic who have already lost Liel Abada to injury. He isn’t expected back anytime soon either.
Rodgers will now be forced to put significant game time into Hyunjun Yang, James Forrest or Mikey Johnston during a busy upcoming schedule. Celtic play 12 games between now and 2nd January.
There’s also a possibility he moves Kyogo out to the flank and players Hyeongyu Oh through the middle, if he feels that will be more threatening to the opposition.
A formation change could also be on the cards after Rodgers experimented with a three-man defence in the second half against Atletico at Celtic Park.
Whatever the solution is, it’s far from ideal. Maeda has been a big thorn in the side of opposition defences so far this season and his absence will be a detriment to team performances.
In other news, Liam Scales gets honest after 6-0 Celtic defeat to Atletico Madrid.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
