JAPAN STAR IS MAED OF TOUGH TEAK
Celtic
v Tomorrow, 3pm
BRENDAN RODGERS has revealed miracle man Daizen Maeda has defied the docs to come roaring back for the run in.
The Celtic running machine is back training again just weeks after being told the rest of his campaign was in ruins with a hamstring injury.
Maeda won’t be risked against Dundee tomorrow but Rodgers reckons the wide man will be straining at the least to take on Hearts next weekend ahead of the Old Firm showdown at Parkhead on May
11.
He is out on a pitch and he looks like he has never been away
The Hoops boss (inset) said: “I was speaking to Tim Williamson, the head of our medical team. He said in all his his time here, it never fails to amaze him in terms of his recovery and his overall physicality.
“The information we were given was that he was probably going to be out probably for the remainder of the season.
“But he’s responded well. He’s obviously gone away and had further scans and ultrasound.
“He’s out on the pitch and you’d think he’d never been away. I just don’t think he’ll be ready for this weekend.
“But he’ll finish off his rehab at the beginning of next week and fingers crossed then he’ll play some part in between then and the end of the season, which is fantastic news for us.
“He’s been consistently really, really good for us this season. To have him back and his intensity would be a fantastic boost for us.
“He’s getting nothing from the tendon issue that he felt after the game, which is great news. There are still a few more steps to go through but that would be great news for us.
“You want to have as many options as you possibly can. So having him back would create a really strong squad for us.
“He’s looking like he’s getting up to speed. He was out for a long time before the Rangers game, before that he only had a couple of days training and he did so well to make that game.
“It’s now about building him back up. I see him every day in training and his fitness is coming along really well.”