Daizen Maeda was absent from Celtic’s Player of the Year awards on Sunday night following the Hoops’ 2-1 victory over Hibernian on Sunday where the Celtic talisman seemed to be suffering from an ankle knock…
The 28-year-old forward was forced off late in the match at Easter Road after appearing to pick up a knock, shortly before Celtic secured the win that saw them move level on points with league leaders Hearts.
Hearts end Rangers title hopes
The Jambos would go onto extend their lead again last night after beating the Ibrox club 2-1 at Tynecastle with three matches remaining. That result effectively reduces a three horse title race to just two contenders.
While the rest of the squad later attended the club’s end-of-season ceremony, where Benjamin Nygren collected both the Player of the Year and Players Player of the Year, Maeda was not present at the event.
Although Maeda’s overall numbers this season – 12 goals and 10 assists – fall short of previous seasons, Maeda has shown signs of returning to form in recent weeks with six goal contributions in three games.
Injury concern for Daizen Maeda
Martin O’Neill addressed Maeda’s injury situation after the match, suggesting the issue did not appear to be a serious one at that stage, though further assessment is expected.
The Celtic boss said: “I’m hoping he’s alright. When we were discussing things in the dressing room it didn’t rear its head, so I’m hoping he’s going to be okay.”
“Well, I’m desperately hoping he’s going to be okay, because we need him.”
Also absent from Celtic’s POTY awards night was Joel Mvuka who has not featured for the Hoops since the Scottish Cup quarter-final victory over the Rangers at Ibrox back in March. Mvuka, like the rest of the January loan signings, will most likely be on his way back to his parent club after the season ends.
Celtic must win the Glasgow Derby on Sunday
The Hoops are back in action this Sunday against the latest Ibrox club at Celtic Park for the sixth and final Glasgow Derby of the campaign.
A horse has fallen in the race for the title after Danny Rohl’s side buckled when it came down to the crunch, losing two of their opening split fixtures against Motherwell and then Hearts yesterday afternoon. You can only imagine how disappointed their Hall of Fame captain is this morning.
It would be nice if Daizen Maeda is fit for Sunday so that he can go up against James Tavernier one more time.
Conor Spence
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