Celtic may now be forced to cope without one of their key men in a crucial clash against Hearts this weekend following the news that he has multiple injury concerns.
Rodgers admits "difficult" moments at Celtic
With less than a year remaining until his current contract expires at Celtic, Brendan Rodgers is on course to have a final season to forget in Scotland. His side are currently five points behind shock leaders Hearts in the Scottish Premiership and defeat against Dundee last weekend slammed home the problems that the Bhoys are currently facing.
Having his say on Celtic’s recent dip in form, Rodgers admitted that they currently find themselves in a “difficult” moment – telling reporters: “If I’m honest, I think that it is difficult.
“We understood what we wanted to be as a football team in the summer and we never quite managed to get there. So of course we now have to live with that. So that’s something that every day we’re trying to improve and make better.
“But there’s absolutely no doubt that we’re in a difficult moment and we have to stand together and come through, and that’s what’s going to be important if we’re going to progress.”
Each moment to forget has ignited concerns over Rodgers’ Celtic future. There remains no breakthrough in contract talks and potential candidates to take his job like Ange Postecoglou are now beginning to emerge.
Whilst speculation continues to arrive, however, Rodgers must attempt to turn Celtic’s form around and could be forced to do so without one of his most important players this weekend.
Maeda now a doubt to face Hearts
As revealed by Rodgers, Daizen Maeda is now a doubt to face Hearts this weekend amid both hamstring and lower back injuries. The forward missed last weekend’s defeat at the hands of Dundee as well as the clash against SK Sturm Graz in the Europa League. Now, he could be missing for a crucial game in the title race.
“Daizen is not available (for Sturm Graz). He is suffering stiffness in his lower back and his hamstrings. I think the last game against Motherwell before the international break, he just felt his hamstring, so we’ve got some positive news on it, but no timeline on it. He certainly won’t be available for tomorrow, and we’ll see where he’s at for the weekend.”
Although the forward has not been at his best so far this season, his absence still comes at a frustrating time. Described as “amazing” by Rodgers last season, the Celtic boss desperately needs Maeda to come back fit and firing in time for the Hearts clash.
At his best, the Japan international scored 33 goals in all competitions last season and there’s no doubt that a player of that calibre would make all the difference for the Bhoys in their current form.