Martin O’Neill has given an update on Celtic’s Daizen Maeda.
Maeda was seen limping to the tunnel after Celtic’s 2-1 win over Hibs on Sunday, leading to fears over his availability for the Glasgow Derby.
The forward is known for his endurance and natural fitness, he certainly doesn’t go down easily. Absences have been rare for him in recent years.
And discussing Maeda ahead of this weekend, O’Neill had positive news.
Would you like to see Reo Hatate feature against Rangers?
Hatate has been an unused sub for three matches in a row!
Martin O’Neill ‘very confident’ Daizen Maeda being available for Celtic
Speaking to Celtic TV during the week, the interim boss said of Maeda: “He’s making good progress. That’s good news.
“He is definitely doing well. We’ve got a few days yet. He’ll want to play.
READ MORE: After Hart and Schmeichel, Celtic should stick to the veteran blueprint this summer
“There’s no doubt at all about it. He’s had a new lease of life in recent weeks. He’s been terrific for us.
“So I think that even at this early stage of the week, I’d be very confident that he would be on the field.”
“Rangers, now, are quite a number of points behind Hearts.
Speaking to talkSPORT earlier in the week ahead of the game, O’Neill said: “We’re talking about three games left, so that would be difficult to overcome at this particular stage. I think that’s the case.
“It’s not impossible. It can happen; you can still win your games. And again, strangely enough, there are some very difficult matches for us all to come through.
“From our own position, we have to try and win the three games. Even that, strangely enough, at this minute, mathematically, might not be enough.
“But I still think there’s a couple of twists still left.
“Strangely enough, if you’re looking at it from a viewpoint of what you can do, all we can do is attempt to win our games, which are difficult matches.
“And even if that was the case, with Hearts having a better goal difference than us, then I suppose, probably, deep down, I was looking for a draw.
“A draw’s very, very difficult to cheer on, but it was, I think that was the case. Because then it was put in our own hands.
“As it turns out, mathematically speaking, it’s not actually in our own hands.”
Would you start Daizen Maeda on the left against Rangers?
Tavernier had a torrid time against Hearts
A season of injuries for Celtic
Alistair Johnston has recently returned to action for Celtic, though Cameron Carter-Vickers won’t be back before the end of the season.
Jota, who hasn’t been seen since a knee injury last May, will also not be seen before the end of the season after a lengthy period of rehab.
Callum Osmand’s Celtic rise was abruptly ended by his own long-term injury which has threatened to keep him out for the rest of the campaign.
Marcelo Saracchi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Arne Engels have all had their own issues at various points.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
