![\"Daizen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Hibernian-v-Celtic-William-Hill-Premiership-Easter-Road.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Japanese star limped off with a knock after Celtic’s 2-1 win at Easter Road on Sunday<\/p>\n
19:52, 06 May 2026Updated 20:13, 06 May 2026<\/p>\n
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Daizen Maeda picked up a knock against Hibs(Image: Andrew Milligan\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n
Martin O’Neill has revealed Daizen Maeda<\/a> is winning his race to be fit for Sunday’s clash with Rangers.<\/p>\n 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.<\/a><\/p>\n Maeda, 28, has rediscovered his top form in recent weeks – netting four in his last three matches.<\/p>\n And O’Neill<\/a> is confident he’ll be able to unleash the inspirational Celtic<\/a> hitman against Danny Rohl’s troops.<\/p>\n He told Celtic TV: “He’s making good progress. That’s good news.<\/p>\n “He is definitely doing well. We’ve got a few days yet. He’ll want to play.<\/p>\n “There’s no doubt at all about it. He’s had a new lease of life in recent weeks.<\/p>\n “He’s been terrific for us.<\/p>\n “So I think that even at this early stage of the week, I’d be very confident that he would be on the field.”<\/p>\n Celtic boss Martin O’Neill<\/p>\n Meanwhile O\u2019Neill expects Celtic to face a wounded animal after Rangers’ title hopes were crushed at Tynecastle.<\/p>\n Gers collapsed to a 2-1 defeat against table-topping Hearts on Monday night to drift out of contention for a rare league crown.<\/p>\n It’s now a two-horse race between Hearts and Celtic but O\u2019Neill knows the Ibrox side will be desperate to derail the defending champions’ five-in-a-row bid.<\/p>\n He said: “A very strong challenge, obviously. You mentioned this about the wounded animal.<\/p>\n “I think that if we look back last week, they played exceptionally well in the first half against Hearts.<\/p>\n “They were in complete control of the game and got the goal to go in front.<\/p>\n “Hearts were obviously going to have a reaction. You can’t be leading that league for that length of time and not have something.<\/p>\n “And they did, and I think that it seemed as if it spooked Rangers a little bit.<\/p>\n “So that was that game last week. They’ve lost the match, they’re now seven points behind Hearts.<\/p>\n “And from that viewpoint, certainly from a Hearts or Rangers viewpoint, it looks a long way off.<\/p>\n “You’re looking for a lot of favours from people. There’ll be some drama to unfold at some stage.”<\/p>\n Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google\u2019s preferred sources. Click HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tune in to Hotline Live<\/a> every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport’s newest podcast, Game On<\/a>, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.<\/p>\n Follow Record Sport on Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a> and Instagram<\/a> for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.<\/p>\n You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers<\/a> and Celtic<\/a> pages, and sign up to our newsletters<\/a> to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.<\/p>\n We’re also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here<\/a> and our Celtic community here<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Celtic](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Screenshot-2026-05-06-at-193539.png\")
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