Celtic star Maeda withdraws from Japan squad through injury

Daizen Maeda has withdrawn from the Japan squad due to injury.

The Celtic winger had been called up for the Samurai Blue this month but won’t play for his country.

Maeda had been selected for fixtures against Canada and Tunisia during the international break but has now been removed from the squad due to injury.

The Japanese forward played in the win over Kilmarnock at the weekend and was only withdrawn in the 89th minute. The extent of his injury which has ruled him out of international duty is unclear.

However, the Japan FA has confirmed Maeda has withdrawn due to injury with Hayao Kawabe called up in his place.

Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi remain in the Japan squad for the international matches this month.

Meanwhile, Hatate opened up on his new Celtic deal as he revealed his desire to respond to the trust shown by Brendan Rodgers.

“Personally, I picked up an injury and it has been a short period of time working together.

“However, he knows football and has a lot of experience. I’m really happy that he values me, but I haven’t shown everything that I have yet.

“Of course, I’m trying to give 100 per cent and my condition needs to be better. So I want to improve my level quickly and I want to respond to the manager’s trust by performing well.

“I’m not satisfied just yet but I’m very happy to play under the new manager. I’m really happy to play in front of the Celtic supporters.

“The fans of our club have so much passion and I would like to give them more memorable moments so let’s enjoy it all together.”

 

 

 

‘For a player I admire’: Chris Sutton critical of Celtic star Reo Hatate’s actions

Chris Sutton has admitted that Reo Hatate dived during Celtic’s 3-1 win over Kilmarnock on Saturday.

When Celtic were 2-0 up, Reo Hatate ran at Kilmarnock’s defence and was surging down their left-hand side towards their penalty area whilst tussling with David Watson.

That’s when Celtic’s goalscorer on the day went to ground as he entered the penalty area, with the on-field referee awarding a penalty straightaway before VAR overturned it.

Bhoys legend Chris Sutton didn’t pull any punches and admitted that he was left disappointed by Reo Hatate’s dive because he is ‘a player I admire very much’, as he told Sky Sports Football (08/10/23 at 11:20 am).

It needs to be pointed out that there was contact on the Celtic man, it’s just a case of going to ground too easily.

That was touched upon by Chris Sutton when discussing Celtic registering another three points.

Reo Hatate dive

“He should be booked for that, it’s a dive,” said Sutton. “Hatate should be booked. He’s initiated the contact and gone down.

“For a player who I admire very much, that’s really poor from Reo Hatate.”

Reo Hatate’s form picking up

In the summer, there was a lot of talk about the Japan star’s future, with the 25-year-old starting the season in an indifferent manner.

But once Brendan Rodgers started Hatate on a regular basis, as well as signing a new contract, he is now starting to look like his old self again.

His goal against Kilmarnock was just simply wonderful and should already be a contender for Goal of the Season because it was pure individual quality.