The Japanese star limped off with a knock after Celtic’s 2-1 win at Easter Road on Sunday
19:52, 06 May 2026Updated 20:13, 06 May 2026
Daizen Maeda picked up a knock against Hibs(Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)
Martin O’Neill has revealed Daizen Maeda is winning his race to be fit for Sunday’s clash with Rangers.
The Japanese flying machine was spotted limping off the pitch at Easter Road on Sunday without a boot – sparking fears he’d be a doubt for this weekend’s must-win Old Firm showdown.
Maeda, 28, has rediscovered his top form in recent weeks – netting four in his last three matches.
And O’Neill is confident he’ll be able to unleash the inspirational Celtic hitman against Danny Rohl’s troops.
He told Celtic TV: “He’s making good progress. That’s good news.
“He is definitely doing well. We’ve got a few days yet. He’ll want to play.
“There’s no doubt at all about it. He’s had a new lease of life in recent weeks.
“He’s been terrific for us.
“So I think that even at this early stage of the week, I’d be very confident that he would be on the field.”
Celtic boss Martin O’Neill
Meanwhile O’Neill expects Celtic to face a wounded animal after Rangers’ title hopes were crushed at Tynecastle.
Gers collapsed to a 2-1 defeat against table-topping Hearts on Monday night to drift out of contention for a rare league crown.
It’s now a two-horse race between Hearts and Celtic but O’Neill knows the Ibrox side will be desperate to derail the defending champions’ five-in-a-row bid.
He said: “A very strong challenge, obviously. You mentioned this about the wounded animal.
“I think that if we look back last week, they played exceptionally well in the first half against Hearts.
“They were in complete control of the game and got the goal to go in front.
“Hearts were obviously going to have a reaction. You can’t be leading that league for that length of time and not have something.
“And they did, and I think that it seemed as if it spooked Rangers a little bit.
“So that was that game last week. They’ve lost the match, they’re now seven points behind Hearts.
“And from that viewpoint, certainly from a Hearts or Rangers viewpoint, it looks a long way off.
“You’re looking for a lot of favours from people. There’ll be some drama to unfold at some stage.”
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