Celtic were all set to head into their Champions League tie with Bayern Munich with one of their key players sidelined.
The Hoops lost Daizen Maeda to suspension after he was shown a straight red card for what looked like a kick-out at an opponent during the League Phase clash vs Young Boys.
That forced the Japanese attacker to miss the action vs Aston Villa down south in what was a shattering 4-2 defeat despite a brave showing from the Scottish Premiership champions.
A further ban was imposed on the player for endangering an opponent as UEFA confirmed to the club as they outlined a further match suspension.
Celtic receive major boost before Bayern Munich arrival
That meant Maeda, 27, would then also be forced to miss the first-leg of the knockout playoff glamour tie vs the Bundesliga giants at Parkhead.
It was a major blow to Brendan Rodgers‘ Celts and the way they play and that is even despite the arrival of Jota who has been added to the Champions League squad with players leaving the team.
Thankfully for Celtic, though, the club appealed Maeda’s suspension and pushed their efforts through.
And now they have confirmed that the international player will be available for BOTH legs against Vincent Kompany’s troops which comes as a significant boost for the green and white outfit who will need his workrate and endeavour if they are to give Bayern a game on Wednesday evening.
Celtic issued a statement confirming the news.
Celtic won Daizen Maeda’s suspension appeal
They wrote: “Celtic FC tonight confirmed that it has successfully appealed Daizen Maeda’s two match suspension.
“The original suspension has been reduced to one match, meaning Daizen is available to play on Wednesday at Celtic Park.”
It comes after Celtic also managed to avoid being hit with a major away fan ban in Germany next week for the second-leg.
That followed the use of pyro at Villa which had come with a fine as well as the threat of a previously suspended ban sanction that was due to come into place.
UEFA opted only to fine the club again.
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