Daizen Maeda will return to Celtic today with his international reputation enhanced.
The striker was involved in the Olympic Games during the summer but sat out the World Cu qualifiers earlier this season.
January has been a month that he won’t forget with a transfer to Celtic where he was reunited with Ange Postecoglou quickly followed by a goal four minutes into his debut against Hibs.
Unfortunately for Celtic their new striker missed the matches against Hearts and Dundee United but following substitute appearances in the wins over China and Saudi Arabia Maeda is back in town and ready to kick on with his Celtic career.
Daizen’s one touch pass here ???
What a move, deserved a better finish than that. pic.twitter.com/7pUpJylCJi— ???? | Sean G. (@sean_1am) February 1, 2022
All in all Maeda’s done fantastically – got serious playing time in two big wins for Japan, demonstrated his talents, and seems likely to have a role of some sort in the derby. If he excels on Wednesday we will look at this last week as a massive turning point for his career. https://t.co/LtM5SqKZev
— Dan Orlowitz | covering #Beijing2022 (@aishiterutokyo) February 1, 2022
Celtic will check on Maeda later today and decide whether he can be listed as a substitute- 32 hours after the final whistle against Saudi Arabia.
In normal circumstances being listed as a substitute would seem far-fetched but being able to list nine players on the bench and calling on five of them makes Maeda a live option for inclusion tonight.
