DAIZEN MAEDA could face Celtic team-mates Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston when Japan play Scotland at Hampden a week on Saturday.
However, there is no place for compatriot Reo Hatate in Hajime Moriyasu’s 28-man squad for the friendly games against Steve Clarke’s World Cup-bound Scots or England at Wembley three days later.
Maeda’s strike rate has dipped considerably with only eight counters this season compared to his incredible 33-goal haul last time out.
TWO v ONE…Japanese double-act Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate leave Jack Butland helpless as the midfielder claims the equaliser in the 2-2 Premiership stalemate at Ibrox.
However, the pacy frontman has done enough to keep him in his manager’s plans as he prepares his country for the summer soccer extravaganza in the USA, Canada and Mexico which kicks off on June 11.
Hatate’s inconsistent form at the beginning of the campaign meant he was no longer a first pick at the champions during a turbulent term.
However, the midfielder has shown glimpses of what the Hoops fans have come to expect in recent matches.
Unfortunately for Hatate, he still has not caught the eye of his head coach.
It’s a blow for the 28-year-old playmaker who admitted last summer that his dream was to play for Japan in the World Cup Finals.
Looking at the UK double-header, boss Moriyasu, speaking in a report in the Daily Record, said: “Scotland and England are both high-intensity teams and we will get two tough games.
NO PROBLEM…Reo Hatate wonders what all the fuss was about after sinking a penalty-kick in the shoot-out during Celtic’s 4-2 Scottish Cup spot-kick triumph at Ibrox.
“We will be able to experience World Cup-level intensity in both Glasgow and London.
“I hope that we can continue the way the team has been playing, while also trying out some tactical changes.
“Scotland, based on what we have seen in the qualifiers so far, basically creates a block, stops the opponents’ attack and then launches a quick counterattack.”
The plus side for Martin O’Neill, of course, is that Hatate will not run the risk of injury performing on the international stage and will some extra time to prepare for the following weekend’s Premiership encounter against Dundee at Dens Park.
IT’S THE BOOK DEAL OF THE YEAR! You can now own a copy of ‘Celtic 50 Flags Plus One’ AND ‘Celtic Treble Treble’ for only £9.95 plus postage. Two stunning Celtic publications and you can save a massive £20! Order now! Just click the image for details and your books will be on their way. Happy reading!
