Celtic boss Martin O'Neill has confirmed good news for the Hoops ahead of their crucial Old Firm game against Rangers on Sunday.
Celtic are poised for an Old Firm blockbuster with the title on the line
Three points separated Hearts and Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership, while Danny Röhl's Rangers are out of contention.
Lawrence Shankland's 71st-minute strike – his 14th league goal of the season – earned Hearts a 2-1 comeback win at Tynecastle on Monday, a result that effectively turned what had been a three-horse race into a straight battle between the Edinburgh club and Celtic.
The Old Firm game at Celtic Park on Sunday is taking on the importance of deciding the title.
Rangers are now seven points behind Hearts with three games remaining, a deficit that makes any realistic title challenge impossible.
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Their role is now fully operational – a win at Celtic Park on Sunday will move them within a point of the Hoops and increase their chances of finishing second, but the motivation to stop their arch-rivals from winning another title will be very strong.
Hearts, who were thoroughly outplayed in the first half at Tynecastle before Stephen Kingsley equalized and Shankland scored the winner, face Motherwell on Saturday – a game they will know they must win to maintain the pressure.
If Hearts beat Motherwell on Saturday, a Rangers victory at Celtic on Sunday would leave the Hoops six points clear with two games remaining, making the pressure on O'Neill's side almost unbearable.
Celtic's goal difference is also lower than Hearts', meaning they can't rely on the scoreline at the end.
While the Bhoys are planning for next season, everything is being looked at on the field right now.
For Celtic, the only way to get through this is to beat Rangers on Sunday and keep themselves in the title race.
Which makes the fitness concerns about Daizen Maeda, who has been in an unusual situation at the right time, deeply unacceptable.
Martin O'Neill confirms Daizen Maeda has progressed to Celtic ahead of Rangers
The Japanese striker walked off the pitch at Easter Road on Sunday having scored the opener in a 2-1 win over Hibs – his sixth goal in his last three games after contributing once before April in all of 2026.
He left the field with his boot off, telling the story of what appeared to be a slouch after a late challenge, sparking concern from fans and managers alike.
O'Neill was asked about it directly after the game on Sky Sports and struck a hopeful tone.
“I hope he is alive,” said the Celtic coach.
“I think when we talked about things in the dressing room, that didn't clear the head in the moment.”
He also told reporters he was “very hopeful” Maeda would be fit for the Rangers clash – a choice of words that said enough about how the 28-year-old has fitted into everything Celtic are trying to do.
Now, as confirmed by O'Neill in the update, the striker appears to be ready to go this weekend.
“He's progressing well. That's good news. He's definitely doing well,” said the manager.
“We have a few days, and he will want to play, there is no doubt about it. He has had a new life in the last weeks; he has been good for us.
“I think even at the beginning of the week, I can be very confident that he will be on the field.”
The options to replace him are limited.
Kelechi Iheanacho is the only logical option, although his fitness record this season has been unreliable, while Tomas Cvancara remains sidelined with a groin strain and Junior Adamu has not featured in a league match squad since March.
Sky Sports pundit James McFadden highlighted Celtic's problems in the final third after Hibs' win, pointing to a lack of penetration and urgency that has plagued them at other times this season.
Maeda's relentless pressure and directness have opened some of those cracks in recent weeks.
Losing to him now, against Rangers, at Celtic Park, with the title on the line, would be as bad as it gets.
Fortunately for O'Neill, that is now an unlikely situation.
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