By Alan Hutton

30th Mar, 2023 | 2:54pm

Rangers idol drops Daizen Maeda claim after confirmed Celtic news - 'it's happened to me'

Alan Hutton has praised Celtic forward Daizen Maeda for his decision to return from international duty early.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Rangers defender insisted there was “no point” in Maeda remaining away from the club.

The 25-year-old was the only Hoops player to be called up to the Japanese squad for international duty this month.

But Maeda was an unused substitute for their 1-1 draw against Uruguay and returned to Scotland before the match against Colombia on Tuesday (28 March) after picking up an injury.

As quoted by the Scotsman (26 March), the forward revealed that it was his decision to return to Parkhead and said he wanted to focus on the league match at the weekend rather than on the national team.

The Hoops travel to Ross County on Sunday (2 April), before facing Rangers at Parkhead on 8 April, two games Ange Postecoglou will be hoping to have a fit Maeda for.

When asked if it’s the right call for players to return to their club when injured on international duty, Hutton told Football Insider: “I think it makes sense.

“Every time it has happened to me or someone around me we have always gone back to the club.

“I think when you are in the international scene, it is all focussed on the games, on the training so if you are injured there is not really much point in you being there because you can’t really affect anything.

“You are going to miss the games coming up so you might as well go back and put your full focus into trying to get back as soon as possible.

“You are treated by your team who know you the best and I think that is the best option. Coming back and trying to get fit as soon as possible.“

In other news, Brighton plotting to sign Celtic star.