DAIZEN MAEDA has revealed it was his decision to quit the Japanese international squad to return to Celtic.
The 25-year-old forward remained on the substitutes’ bench throughout the 1-1 friendly draw with Uruguay on Friday.
No explanation was given with manager Hajime Moriyasu utilising six stand-by players throughout the second-half.
SITTING IT OUT…Daizen Maeda prepares to leave the field after sustaining an injury scoring the equaliser in the 3-1 win over Hearts at Parkhead earlier this month.
Maeda will play no part in tomorrow’s game against Columbia in Osaka and will head back to Scotland for treatment at Lennoxtown in his efforts to make sure he is fit to face Ross County in Dingwall on Sunday when the Premiership restarts.
The speedy raider played for an hour of the 3-1 win over Hibs at Parkhead before flying to his homeland for the international double-header.
However, Maeda will complete his 12,000-mle round trip to get back to the champions and he told local media: “I would rather return to the team and prepare for the league match than remain in the national team.”
The Hoops ace, though, is eyeing his nation’s Kirin Cup games against on June 15 and June 20 against opposition still to be arranged.
He added: “I want to come back during the period.”
