Daizen Maeda breaks Celtic injury silence as defiant star ready to 'fight' after Hearts setback

Daizen Maeda has thanked Celtic fans for their support after his injury setback - and says he's ready to fight back.

Maeda was forced off in the first half of their league win over the Jambos after opening the scoring but boss Ange Postecoglou played it down in the build-up to their Scottish Cup tie with Robbie Neilson's team. He said the Japan star, who has been one of his key men with ten goals and six assists in all competitions, was 50/50 for the quarter-final at Tynecastle.

So when Maeda was posted missing from the squad altogether, there were some concerns from fans as the club gear up for a push towards a Treble in the closing stages of the season. As it happened they managed without him with Aaron Mooy, Kyogo and Cameron Carter-Vickers downing the Tynecastle side to reach the last four. But Maeda is determined to make sure his absence isn't a prolonged one.

Updating fans on social media, he said: "Thank you for all your messages of concern! It has arrived! Just one word! I'm ready to fight."

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