Daizen Maeda fit for Old Firm clash as Celtic battle to recapture title
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill senses the fear of losing their title is fuelling his players as he prepares to face Rangers with a fit Daizen Maeda.
The in-form Maeda has overcome a foot injury ahead of Sunday’s derby as Celtic bid to keep on the trail of leaders Hearts.
The champions could go into the Parkhead clash six points behind the title favourites, who face Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday.
Celtic also travel to Lanarkshire before hosting Hearts on the final day where they will be aiming to clinch a fifth successive title – if they still have a chance.
The Hoops have enjoyed sustained dominance in Scottish football since O’Neill first arrived in 2000 and have won 13 out of the last 14 championships.
And the 74-year-old believes the danger of losing their title is now driving players on.
“I’m sure of it,” he said. “It’s not a position that the football club has found itself in in recent years. Generally speaking, they’ve gone clear and there’s been no opposition.
“There’s been plenty of opposition this year, not just from Rangers but obviously from Hearts.
“So it is a big, big change, not something that a number of these players have been used to. You have to get used to it. You’ve been chasing, you have to keep chasing.”
Maeda completed last Sunday’s 2-1 win at Easter Road but hobbled off with a bare left foot after the game.
The Japan international has netted four goals in three matches following a 17-game run without scoring for his club.
O’Neill said: “Daizen hurt himself towards the end of the game. He’s fine, which is really, really good. He has trained and he has got no reaction. And so he’s going to be fine. He’s had a super couple of weeks.”
Maeda’s form has risen with the team, who are looking to claim a sixth consecutive victory for the first time this season.
When asked if they were peaking at the right time, O’Neill was cautious.
“I genuinely don’t know that,” he said. “The games that we’ve had have been difficult. So I’ve not tried to analyse that much about it.
“We’ve got over the line. We had our difficulties on last week. Well, we certainly had. We had a bit of a problem with VAR, we had a bit of a problem with a few decisions.
“But I think the Old Firm game looks after itself.
“The players have, since (losing at) Tannadice, had some time to reflect because of the international break.
“We got back to Dundee, got the late winner, and it’s gone from there. We’ve had moments where we’ve had to fight through things, but we’ve seen it through so far.
“But Sunday is a massive test for us.”
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