Celtic have no injury concerns heading into Saturday’s derby against Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.
Brendan Rodgers was asked at a media conference today about the status of his squad with no new issues shared by the Bhoys boss.
Rodgers was also quick to point out that his team and squad have been looking sharp in training all week, apparently peaking at the most important point of the season so far.
Celtic have endured injury issues throughout the campaign so, naturally, some fans will be apprehensive about anything new popping up. Thankfully, everyone is fighting fit.
That includes Daizen Maeda, who came off the bench against Hearts last week to return from a hamstring injury that threatened to end his season.
The Japanese winger is in line to make it back into the manager’s eleven for the first time in over a month, competing with James Forrest and Nicolas Kuhn.
Brendan Rodgers on his Celtic wingers
Asked about who he might be tempted to go with on the wings against Rangers, Rodgers said: “What is important is having the flexibility. Daizen can play on both sides. James can play on both sides.
“Depending on the opponent or the game, it’s whether we want inverted wingers or wingers on the outside. It just depends on the game.
“It is great for me from a managerial and coaching perspective to have that flexibility. Daizen we have seen play on the right this season, James on the left or the right, the other guys also. The key is having the flexibility and players who are adaptable that can play in whatever position you want them to play in.”
Daizen Maeda lauded as Celtic ‘threat’
Asked about Maeda specifically, the Celtic manager made it clear how important the Japanese winger is to his plans, stating: “Daizen is an amazing athlete, physically. He scores goals, he’s a threat, he’s intense, which is obviously very difficult to match.
“He’s a real specimen physically – how he presses, how he runs, and of course in a pressing team like ours that’s absolutely vital.”
We’re all set for a superb spectacle and every Celtic fan is hoping that it’s the Bhoys who show their best attributes. Do that and the three points are very achievable, with one hand on the silverware.