Celtic are on international duty, allowing Brendan Rodgers some time to breathe as he looks to motivate his side for a final push towards the Scottish Premiership title.
The Bhoys sit a point ahead of Rangers at the summit and return to action next weekend when they travel to face Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena on March 31st.
Before that, Rodgers and his staff will need to endure an anxious wait to ensure none of his players who have travelled to represent their respective countries suffer any injury trauma.
Nevertheless, we like to keep things on a positive note here, and Celtic winger Daizen Maeda has already been involved for Japan against North Korea earlier today.
At the Japan National Stadium, Ao Tanaka’s second-minute effort was enough to grant the hosts a 1-0 victory in a fixture where Maeda managed to complete the full 90 minutes.
During proceedings, the 26-year-old put in a typically robust display, winning ten of his 14 ground duels, six challenges and making three ball recoveries.
Japan are supposed to be taking on North Korea again on Tuesday, this time in Pyongyang; however, there is a little bit of uncertainty surrounding the rematch amid a warning from the nation’s Foreign Ministry encouraging away fans not to travel to the city [Cited via The Japan Times].
Regardless, we will need to see what unfolds over the coming days, though Maeda can be pleased with an excellent day’s work overall.
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda posts class Instagram message after victory
Swiftly after the game, Maeda took to Instagram to thank the Japan supporters for their backing after securing a vital win against North Korea to claim nine points from three matches in the World Cup Second Round Group B table.
Sharing a selection of pictures from the clash, the former Yokohama F. Marinos man stated on the social media platform ‘Thank you for your support in the cold! We will prepare better for the next one!’ (Translated via Deep L).
While we wait for our Celtic fix to return, it is pleasing to see one of our senior men come through an entire 90 minutes with a victory and, hopefully, unscathed amid the recent injury problems we have encountered.