Celtic handed significant boost after Daizen Maeda statement – Scottish pundit
Celtic have been handed a blessing in disguise with Daizen Maeda pulling out of international duty this month, according to Alan Hutton.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Scotland defender insisted Ange Postecoglou “will be happy” to have the 24-year-old staying in Glasgow.
In a statement issued on Monday (21 March), the Japanese FA confirmed Maeda has withdrawn from the Japan squad due to “poor condition” for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Australia and Vietnam.
The January signing played the full 90 minutes for Celtic against Ross County on Sunday, scoring once.
With Maeda set to stay in Glasgow instead of travelling to Australia and Japan for the international games, Hutton insisted Postecoglou would be secretly delighted.
Asked if Maeda’s withdrawal is a blessing in disguise for Celtic, Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Yeah, totally. When you think that he finished a long season (in Japan), then you’ve got international games.
“You’re playing week in, week out for your club team, so it’s always going to be difficult. Then you throw into the mix the travelling to the other side of the world. That’s not ideal with the timezone changes.
“So to have him staying here, probably have a few days off, recharge his batteries, probably a couple of light training sessions, that’s absolutely ideal.
“The manager will be happy. You can keep an eye on him, no injury risk, and then keep him firing for the rest of the season.”
Maeda has played 14 times for Celtic since joining on an initial loan from Yokohama F. Marinos back in January.
He has scored six goals so far, four of which have come in the Premiership.
In other news, pundit claims Celtic handed “big” boost after two injury blows at Parkhead.