There was a welcome boost for Celtic supporters yesterday as Daizen Maeda was pictured back in first team training after missing the last couple of games due to a minor knock…

Daizen Maeda has returned to training and is available for selection today. Photo Celtic FC

Daizen’s fitness update

Brendan Rodgers then gave an update on Daizen’s fitness at the media conference at Lennoxtown with The Celtic Star there, a lonely voice representing the Celtic fan media amongst the hacks.

a little circuit breaker

On Daizen, Brendan was asked: In terms of Daizen Maeda coming back in, is that one that you may have to just nurse back in as he’s fully ready to hit the ground? The Celtic manager replied…

“Yes, he’s fully ready to go if we need him. I think for him, it probably felt more like a little circuit breaker for him, as opposed to a long injury. It was just something that hasn’t been out for so long. So, just watching him in training this week, he’s looked good. He’s ready and available to start if we need that,” Brendan Rodgers

Daizen Maeda of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 08, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Daizen has been one of our most influential players this campaign, and we’ve missed his guile and industry in the our past two fixtures.

Celtic v Young Boys in the Champions League

Brendan’s update on the Japanese international during is saying he was being allowed to put his feet up to help heal his aching limbs after picking up a knock, and would be available for selection this weekend against Kilmarnock and crucially against Young Boys on Wednesday night in the Champions League.