Celtic fans woke up this morning to the news that Daizen Maeda’s flying start to his hoops career has earned him an international call up that will see him miss out on crucial SPFL fixtures.
Just after three minutes of his Scottish debut he turned a Tom Rogic pass into the Hibs net then raced off to celebrate with the Celtic support. That double act won’t be seen again in the SPFL until at least February 6.
Maeda’s debut came with a high level of expectation based on the impact of Kyogo Furuhashi and a variety of You Tube clips.
His debut against Hibs didn’t disappoint, ironically for Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu that performance convinced him that Maeda has to be in his squad for the matches against China and Saudi Arabia as an alternative to the injured Kyogo.
Ange Postecoglou appears to have been half preparing for international call ups but dealing with the reality against Hearts, Dundee United and the Glasgow derby will test the hoops boss and stretch his squad.
A lot of focus will now fall on Giorgos Giakoumakis but with Jota returning to fitness and Reo Hatate making a huge first impression the Celtic boss still has exciting options for three vital fixtures.
Better than feared assuming giakoumakis steps up. Still hoping for a miraculous kyogo recovery but it’s a hope with little chance of reality.
— Paul Vincent (@scomerican) January 22, 2022
Maeda needs his passport to go missing.
— Barry McGowan ????????? (@forzaitaliacsc) January 22, 2022
It’s a good thing Ange is just playing the media, 2nd of feb the lights are gonna go out paradise in darkness and then they switch on and Kyogo will be standing in the halfway line
— Mikey?? (@michaelgowran1) January 22, 2022
Dan you’re ruining my morning mate
— DT (@DT__92) January 22, 2022
Jota, GG, Forrest it is then. Gutted to be missing Maeda.
— Oakvillebhoy (@oakvillebhoy) January 22, 2022
Hatate not in the squad is a result..
— T.Rea (@Tiernan_Rea) January 22, 2022
Could have been worse ? Good luck Japan ??
— Diego (@kurtschnider) January 22, 2022
