The first thing we noticed when the Celtic team to play against FC Banik Ostrava yesterday afternoon was posted on social media was that neither Reo Hatate or Daizen Maeda were listed in the squad.
We reported: “Neither Reo Hatate not his fellow countryman Daizen Maeda are listed in the squad for today’s game, perhaps both have the niggling injuries that Ange Postecoglou was referring to in his interview earlier today?”
When Celtic TV came back for the second half of the 4-2 win over the Czech Republic top tier side we were a little surprised to notice that Daizen Maeda was indeed in the squad and was playing in the second half. There was however no sign of Reo Hatate.
The exclusion from the Team list of Maeda can be put down to human error from the Celtic media team who travelled with the squad to Austria and Czech Republic. With so many substitutes to list in these matches missing one name from the list is understandable. Alternatively it could have been a last minute change of mind by the manager who perhaps was going to rest Maeda but then thought better of it. Who knows and the important thing is that the Japan international forward is free of injury.
As for Reo being missing Ange cleared that mystery up after the game and as we suspected he wasn’t included due to a niggling injury concern, but it’s nothing serious and the midfielder should be back for the weekend when Blackburn Rovers are the visitors to Celtic Park on Saturday lunchtime.
Speaking about Reo Hatate not being in the squad yesterday: “He had a slight knock,” Postecoglou said, as reported by Football Scotland. “He played both games and the decision was made to leave him out and he will train again on Friday for Saturday.”
