Daizen Maeda Celtic surprise catches Brendan Rodgers out as triple shift sparks 'I've run the legs off him' realisation

Brendan Rodgers says it’s a big surprise and boost to have extraordinary Daizen Maeda back for Bayern Munich.

And the Celtic boss insists his relentless Japanese star is ready to race at the German giants despite joking he’d run the legs off for him for three games. Maeda’s two-match suspension for kicking out at an opponent in the win over Young Boys was reduced by UEFA on Monday night meaning he’s free to face the Bundesliga big guns.

Celtic’s top scorer has played 90 minutes of all three domestic games since missing out against Aston Villa with a ban looming. However, Rodgers got the call to say his top-scorer is good to go and he said: “It’s such a great bit of news that we got. He’s an extraordinary player. I think how he’s been this year for us, not just in goals, but what his value gives to the team in terms of his pressing and his honesty to the game.

“So to have that mentality and that ability available was a big surprise for us, but a nice surprise. I ran the legs off him for three games! It was brilliant by the club, I’ve got to say, because he was always going to serve one game, but until you get the written report, which didn’t come through until Thursday/Friday last week, you can’t put in your appeal.

“But as soon as it did come in, obviously the club put in the appeal. Which, with the greatest respect to UEFA, we were thinking this probably wouldn’t bear fruit. And then, when I got the call to say he was able to play, I thought, goodness me, he’s played the three full games. He couldn’t run any more as a striker, as a winger. But thankfully he’s just a bundle of energy, so he’ll be okay.

“I was a wee bit surprised when it came through. But it wasn’t unsurprising because of getting two games. What was