Daizen Maeda spotted on crutches but Celtic star doubles down on 'quick healer' credentials with reassuring message

Daizen Maeda is using crutches as he steps up his injury recovery - but he's reassured Celtic fans it won't be long before he's back better than ever.

Wide-man Maeda had been a key player for Brendan Rodgers in the early part of the season but picked up a knee ligament injury against Atletico Madrid in the challenge that got him sent off in Spain. Rodgers revealed after the game he was facing six weeks out and later indicated he was well on track and expected back for the next derby with Rangers on December 30.

That's still some way away though and for now Maeda has shared a snap on Instagram of him using crutches while spending time with his kids at a play park. But while the sight of him unable to walk freely might be a source of concern for fans, he's not too worried himself as he simply wrote: "I’ll come back stronger!"

Rodgers previously said Maeda could have avoided the injury had he gone in stronger on Hermoso - though wasn't too critical of the 'brilliant' winger who he had used in every game so far. And in his most recent update he provided hope he'll be back for that derby, because he's a 'quick healer.'

Rodgers said: “He’ll hopefully be back for then (the derby). I’m pretty sure if you are looking at him that 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.”