Maeda return and Bernardo’s low price

Brendan Rodgers will hopefully see Daizen Maeda at Lennoxtown earlier than planned, as Japan’s World Cup qualifier in North Korea has been cancelled by the hosts due to “unforeseen circumstances”.   Fifa have yet to decide if the game can go ahead at a neutral venue but that is currently considered unlikely.

Reports in Japan suggest the cancellation is due to the outbreak of an infectious disease in the country, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, which is deadly and makes international travel unnecessarily risky.

Daizen is a nailed-on starter for the important games after the international break, so having him back early and focussed on the priorities ahead is important.

I’m not having any “a bit steep” chat about Paulo Bernardo’s reported €7.5m asking price from Benfica.  The player only recently turned 22 and has the core ability we should be looking to turn into a top player – just as we did with Matt O’Riley.  This is the going rate, anything less than that and you’re not taking a talent out of Portugal.