V ST MIRREN HOOPS FACE END OF DAIZ

Rodgers reckoning with prospect of being without Maeda for rest of the season as star struggles with hamstring problem

BRENDAN RODGERS fears running man Daizen Maeda could miss a chunk of Celtic’s Premiership title run in.

The Hoops attacker – who starred in last weekend’s 3-3 draw at Ibrox – has a hamstring strain.

And Rodgers admitted he cannot give any guarantees over how much of a part the Japan ace can play in the reminding games of the season.

Celtic will also be without Liam Scales for today’s league clash with St Mirren at Parkhead while captain Callum Mcgregor could be wrapped in cotton wool ahead of next week’s Scottish Cup semi showdown with Aberdeen.

Maeda is out of today’s encounter and could be sent for scans next week to discover when he can get back for the final push for silverware.

Rodgers said: “Daizen will miss the weekend. We’ll just need to see. He picked up an injury high up on his hamstring, his tendon.

“We’ll have to see what that looks like over the coming weeks.

“It’s something the medical team will look at.”

Rodgers has suffered several injuries to key men this season with the likes of Cameron Cartervickers, Reo Hatate and Mcgregor spending spells on the sidelines.

But the Hoops boss is refusing to see it as a huge setback as he said: “Not really. He’s done great. He’s been fantastic for us and he did very well last weekend.

“But if it is to be and he is out then there will be an opportunity for someone else to come into the game.

“What he brings in terms of intensity and pressing is big for us.

“But it’s an opportunity for others to step up, bring their intensity and individual brilliance to the game.

“It’s not something you can dwell on too much. We’ve had a lot this year with key players being out.

“But you have to continue.

“I am just liking what

I am seeing with the team at the moment with the focus, the energy, the quality we’ve shown.

“We’re looking to do that, starting against St Mirren.”

Rodgers (inset) admitted he needs to tread carefully with Mcgregor after he came off the bench at Ibrox following five weeks out.

He said: “He’s come through well, we’re still clearly managing him.

“He did absolutely incredible to be available for the game. The timeline was beyond Rangers.

“But he worked so hard to put himself out there.

“He only trained a few days leading up to the game.

“This week has been another good week for him.

“He’s not out the woods at all and we just have to manage where he’s at.”