He’s not Messi- Sutton’s caution over key Celtic development

Chris Sutton has added a note of caution to the expected return of Daizen Maeda.

At Ibrox at the start of the month the former Yokohama forward put in a typical all-action 90 plus minutes, scoring after 21 seconds and still going strong while most of his midfield and forward team-mates were substituted.

News that his season seemed to be over was a body blow with Maeda’s absence leaving a massive hole in on the Celtic left.

On Wednesday night news spread fast that Maeda was poised to return to action in advance of the May 11 Glasgow Derby, at Friday’s media conference Rodgers confirmed that news with the Hearts game on May 4 a realistic return target.

At this stage of the season every development is examined to the nth degree, in the Daily Record Sutton adds a little caution to expectations over the return of Maeda.

What we do know is if Maeda does get back – and back near his usual levels – then it will be a massive boost for Rodgers and Celtic at this crucial stage of the campaign. Look, the way some people are talking it’s like hearing Messi is on his way. I wouldn’t quite go that far as you still never really know where the final ball is going with him.

Yet there is absolutely no doubt he is an important player for Celtic and a big miss when he’s not around. The other wingers at the club have not exactly hit the heights in his absence, with Yang continuing to blow hot and cold and Nicolas Kuhn also being a bit of a mixed bag.

Maeda appears unlikely to be involved at Dundee tomorrow but with five from nine substitutes available there could be a temptation to have him on the bench.