Celtic winger Daizen Maeda is scheduled to return before the end of the season.
The Japan international has missed Celtic’s last two games with a hamstring injury; he will not be fit for Sunday’s showdown at Dundee (live on Sky). Celtic is three points ahead of Rangers in the Scottish Premiership title battle. Watch all the action from Dens Park from 3 p.m.
Brendan Rodgers, Celtic’s manager, is hoping that Daizen Maeda will be able to return to action before the season ends.
It was thought that the Japanese winger would miss the Hoops’ title run-in and Scottish Cup final due to a hamstring injury sustained recently.
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“He’ll finish off doing his rehabilitation at the beginning of next week out on the grass with the medical team and then we’ll assess it from there.
He missed their league triumph against St Mirren and their stunning penalty shootout victory against Aberdeen in the semi-finals last weekend.
However, before of Sunday’s encounter at Dundee, which will be broadcast live on Sky, Rodgers stated that his recuperation has gone faster than planned.
“Initially, we thought his season was over, but he’s been out on the pitch,” he told Sky Sports News.
“He won’t be fit for this weekend, but we expect to see him before the end of the season, which is excellent news for us.
“It would be a huge lift for us since he hasn’t missed much time, so he won’t have lost much fitness, despite the fact that he is a monster physically.
“Someone like him provides us with a great intensity in the game and obviously that inspires others.”
Celtic are three points ahead of Rangers with five games remaining, including an Old Firm showdown live on Sky on May 11.
The manager believes his players will rise to the challenge of winning another league title.
“This period in the season, it’s always been said that Celtic get their trophy heads on,” commented the head coach.
“That’s about concentration, mental toughness, and bringing a high level of performance to the game.
“That’s something that’s been consistently done here over a period of time, and what I would expect likewise in these remaining games.”
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