Brendan Rodgers offers up Maeda hope for Rangers clash as Celtic boss fumes again over Champions League VAR woe

Brendan Rodgers is praying he’ll have Daizen Maeda back on board for the Festive Old Firm showdown.

The Celtic boss revealed the attacker is facing up to six weeks out with knee ligament damage – suffered in his controversial red card flashpoint against Atletico Madrid in midweek. Rodgers was left livid at the VAR decision to send the Japan star packing , which contributed to the Champions League 6-0 battering from the La Liga men.

Maeda’s injury twisted the knife and the running machine is now facing a race against the clock to make the derby encounter on December 30. Rodgers said: “He’ll hopefully be back for then. I’m pretty sure of you are looking at him that’s he’s a quick healer. We’ll just have to see but at this moment in time, he’s down in London having his assessment. But by that period he should be back.

“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.

“His attitude and mentality is superb. He initials the pressure for us. Anyone who knows football could see it wasn’t a red, it was just a clash of feet.

“The irony was as soon as the red card came out their player (Mario Hermoso) was miraculously back off the floor. It’s a real shame because he’s been like a machine for us.”

Rodgers insisted he’s determined to keep the show on the road despite being hit by a nightmare injury list this season. Midfielder Reo Hatate is out until the New Year, along with wide man Liel Abada. The Hoops boss has also been forced to be without Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston for long spells, as well as new recruits Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf