Daizen Maeda’s injury will be weight off Tavernier’s mind

Daizen Maeda will sit out today’s game against St Mirren with a hamstring issue. It’s not known how bad the problem is yet, but the worst case scenario would be a six week lay off which would rule the Japanese international out for the remainder of the season.

As frustrating as Daizen can be, he’s a wonderful footballer who gives so much effort to the team. His energy and work rate are second to none, and we will definitely miss him in his absence.

Daizen has his share of critics amongst the Celtic supporters, but the fact that he is one of the first names on the team sheet under Brendan Rodgers, as he was with Ange Postecoglou, tells you all you need to know about his ability.

Sometimes you don’t really appreciate someone until they are absent, and that will be the case with Daizen. As they say on social media, you can bookmark that.

The only folk who will be happy about his absence are his fellow opponents and rival supporters. One of those opponents will be James Tavernier who must have re running nightmares about the Japanese forward due to the constant run around he gives him in derby matches, Sunday’s game was further proof of that. Tavernier and theRangers supporters will be extremely happy if Daizen sits out the next Glasgow Derby match at Celtic Park.

We don’t yet know when that game will take place as we await the post split fixtures to be sorted out. Hopefully it’s as late as possible to give Daizen more chance of making it because he really does terrify – and nullify – the 32 year-old captain of theRangers.

The very fact that opposing players and supporters are happy that Daizen could be ruled out for the season tells you all you need to know about his unique attributes.  His critics point to his ball control as a weakness, if that was better Daizen would be playing in one of the big five leagues for teams fighting it out for the Champions League.

Haste ye back Daizen, for a speedy recovery.