Celtic 'machine' Maeda faces six weeks out

2 years ago 67

ARTICLE AD BOX

Daizen Maeda was sent off in Madrid following a VAR review when Celtic trailed 1-0

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has rued the loss of "machine" Daizen Maeda for six weeks with a knee injury sustained in the challenge that earned his red card against Atletico Madrid.

Maeda's booking for a 50-50 challenge on Mario Hermoso was upgraded following VAR intervention in the first half of Celtic's 6-0 Champions League defeat.

The Japan forward has started every game bar one this term, scoring twice.

"Daizen will probably be up to six weeks out," said Rodgers.

"He has strained his medial knee ligament which comes from when you just knock a player on the foot.

"If he was in stronger in the challenge he probably wouldn't have had the injury. The clash of feet has just opened up the knee ligament.

"It's a big shame for us because he has been brilliant for me since I came here.

"It's a big loss because his attitude and mentality going into every game is superb. He initiates the pressure for us at the top end.

"It's a real shame because he has been like a machine since he came to Celtic. Watching him before I arrived and then coming here and seeing what he does every day and in the games, he is incredible. He hasn't had too many knocks.

"But I always say it's an opportunity for someone else to come in and play."

Maeda is set to miss Celtic's next six Scottish Premiership games as well as their final two Champions League group outings as they try to salvage third place and a Europa League spot.

The injury blow adds to Rodgers' frustration over the decision to send Maeda off in Madrid, with Celtic going on to concede a further five times.

Rodgers, whose side host Aberdeen on league duty on Sunday, said: "You only have to assess the incident. Everyone could see if you know football at all that there was no intention, he was just overstretching and both players clash feet.

"The irony is that as soon as the red card went up, their player miraculously got up off the floor."

Celtic