Rangers boost as Sky Sports show live footage from Celtic training ground
Rangers have been boosted by the absence of Daizen Maeda from Celtic training, with the Japanese forward not spotted in footage released by Sky Sports.
Celtic face Dundee on 28 April, but it appears they will have to do so without the injured Maeda.
Rangers visit Parkhead for the final Scottish Premiership Old Firm derby of the campaign on 11 May and will hope Maeda remains absent until after that clash.
Sky Sports released footage of Celtic’s training session ahead of their trip to Dens Park on X and revealed Maeda’s absence with the caption: “No Daizen Maeda as Celtic train ahead of Sunday’s game against Dundee.”
Rangers relief as Daizen Maeda remains absent for Celtic
Rangers will undoubtedly be relieved if Maeda remains absent until the Old Firm derby at Parkhead – particularly Gers captain James Tavernier, who endured a difficult time against the forward in the rivals’ last clash at Ibrox on 7 April.
The 26-year-old scored inside the first minute of that match, which ended 3-3 as the Gers were forced to come from behind twice to snatch a dramatic point, with Rabbi Matondo curling in a 93rd-minute equaliser.
However, an injury has kept Maeda from featuring for Celtic since that contest, with Brendan Rodgers’ side forced to face St. Mirren in the league and Aberdeen in the Scottish FA Cup semi-finals without him.
The Japan international has netted nine goals and three assists across all competitions this term and his production will be a miss for Celtic for as long as they are without him.
Rangers will hope to be in a position to leapfrog Celtic at the top of the table when 11 May comes around, with St. Mirren and Kilmarnock to come before an Old Firm derby that could decide the Scottish Premiership title.
In other Rangers news, Steven Gerrard could talk Al-Ettifaq’s owners into a deal for Connor Goldson.
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