Celtic ‘panicking’ over Daizen Maeda and teammate after injury news – pundit
Alan Hutton has suggested Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou will be “panicking” after Sead Haksabanovic and Daizen Maeda picked up injuries on international duty.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Rangers right-back said the Hoops won’t want to lose the strength and depth Haksabanovic brings to the squad.
The 23-year-old was forced off during Montenegro’s Nations League clash with Finland on Monday (26 September).
The forward lasted 32 minutes before he was taken down by a heavy challenge and was unable to continue the game.
As reported by the Daily Record (26 September), Maeda missed Japan’s final training session of the international break with a thigh injury.
The 24-year-old was not included in the matchday squad against Ecuador on Tuesday (27 September).
Hutton said the Celts will be feeling the loss of the attacking duo.
“In the last few outings he’s [Haksabanovic] looked really sharp, he’s looked energetic and as if he can make something happen,” he told Football Insider.
“Celtic do have a lot of options up top but he was brought in to make them stronger, so you don’t want to lose that.
“I heard Maeda’s possibly got a little injury away on international duty as well so it’s two players in that front line that they won’t want to lose.
“It’s a shame obviously for Celtic and the situation they’re in at the moment. It’s not ideal, I think all managers start to panic when players are getting called away to international duty because this kind of crops up now and then.“
In other news, a pundit has backed ‘vital’ new Celtic deal after source’s ‘huge’ Postecoglou reveal.