Daizen Maeda and Cameron Carter-Vickers were both present at Lennoxtown this morning as Celtic stepped up preparations for this weekend’s Glasgow Derby encounter.
The influential duo took part in Friday’s training session at Lennoxtown ahead of Sunday’s Scottish Premiership clash with theRangers at Celtic Park.
There had been growing concern over Maeda’s condition after the Hoops star appeared to suffer a knock during last weekend’s 2-1 victory against Hibernian.
The Japanese forward was seen limping late in the game at Easter Road, raising doubts about his involvement in this weekend’s derby.
Daizen ‘making good progress’ insists O’Neill
However, those fears now appear to have been eased, with Maeda joining his team-mates in full training and available for selection this weekend.
Speaking about Maeda, Celtic boss Martin O’Neill said via Celtic’s official YouTube channel: “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.
“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.”
CCV involved in first-team training again
Cameron Carter-Vickers was likewise involved in the session, with the defender continuing his return to full fitness after rejoining first-team training last week.
Speaking last week about CCV, O’Neill said he would still be “a bit of a distance off.”
“Carter-Vickers has joined in today, but I think that’s a bit of a distance off at this minute, considering the injury he’s had.
“Knowing him, he’d want to be playing on Sunday, because he would throw himself out there!”
Quick Tip – Add Celticshorts.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!
