Brendan Rodgers confirms double squad blow ahead of Celtic vs St Mirren

Celtic haven’t had much luck with injuries this season. It’s been a key storyline throughout the campaign.

Brendan Rodgers has been left frustrated by the absences of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate at various stages, all of whom are only returning to action together just now.

Last week, ahead of the match against Rangers, Celtic had a clean bill of Health for what felt like the first time this season.

However, more issues have surfaced ahead of this weekend’s Scottish Premiership fixture at home to St Mirren.

The manager has been speaking in a media conference ahead of the Saturday kick-off and confirmed that Celtic will be without one of their main attacking weapons.

Celtic winger Daizen Maeda suffers injury

Rodgers said [Clyde SSB]: “Daizen Maeda will miss the weekend. He’s picked up an injury high up on his hamstring – his tendon. We’ll have to see what that looks like over the coming weeks.

“He’s certainly not available for the weekend. It’s something the medical team will look at. We’ll understand better what inclusion he’ll have between now and the end of the season.”

Maeda has been in pretty good form of late and has a unique ability to pressure opposition defences intensely. That effort was on full display in the derby for Celtic’s opening goal in the 3-3 draw.

He’ll be a miss on that left flank, even if Luis Palma is available to step in after recovering from his own fitness issues.

Liam Scales will also miss Celtic vs St Mirren

Meanwhile, Irish defender Liam Scales is also confirmed to be absent for this weekend’s match. [Football Scotland]

The centre-back has been heavily relied upon by Rodgers this season, making 38 starts in total so far, but will now miss the visit of the Buddies.

Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke are both contenders to partner Carter-Vickers in the heart of the defensive line.

Celtic have enough talent to get through this weekend’s test but Rodgers will be keeping his fingers crossed there are no more squad surprises around the corner with just a handful of matches left in the title race.

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