Celtic star Daizen Maeda could miss final Rangers showdown at Parkhead with new injury
Celtic star Daizen Maeda could be set to miss the final Old Firm showdown of the season against Rangers due to a hamstring injury, according to PLZ host Peter Martin.
The Japanese forward opened the scoring in the last meeting between the two teams at Ibrox Stadium on 7 April in the first minute, the first strike of what would go on to be a six-goal thriller that ended 3-3.
His absence could be a boost for Rangers as they look to claim victory at Celtic Park on 11 May.
Martin, speaking on PLZ Soccer [15 April], said: “I’ll tell you one player that’s potentially not going to be available for the Celtic-Rangers game – and if he doesn’t make it, [that would be a blow as] he makes such a significant contribution to the way Celtic go about their business – and that’s Maeda.”
Rangers may need to win at Celtic Park to be champions
The Gers’ shock 3-2 defeat at Ross County last time out leaves them four points off the Scottish Premiership title pace – albeit with a game in hand on league leaders Celtic.
Should they win that game in hand – their twice-postponed clash against Dundee due to pitch issues at Dens Park – they will be just one point behind.
However, that position leaves Rangers reliant on a slip-up from Celtic between now and the end of the season – and should the pair match each other’s results, the game at Parkhead could prove decisive in the title race.
Maeda’s absence, therefore, would be a significant boon for Philippe Clement’s side and, in particular, right-back and captain James Tavernier, who endured a difficult game against the 26-year-old at Ibrox.
Rangers must capitalise on any advantage presented to them by their rivals if they are to wrest the title back come the end of the season.
In other Rangers news, a pundit has backed Cyriel Dessers to start every game for the rest of the season and predicted that Kemar Roofe will leave this summer.
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