Martin O’Neill has delivered an update on Daizen Maeda’s fitness after the forward limped off at full-time against Hibernian.
The Japanese international had earlier put Celtic in front at Easter Road this afternoon, laying the foundation for what turned into a 2-1 win for the title challengers in Leith.
The closing stages became increasingly tense, but it wasn’t until the final whistle that Maeda was seen limping and favouring his left foot after taking off his boot.
The Sky Sports broadcast picked up the moment Maeda was visibly uncomfortable, and O’Neill was asked directly about his player in the aftermath of the match.
However, the manager played down any serious concern, suggesting the 28-year-old has been in encouraging form over recent weeks following what has been a mixed campaign at times.
“I’m hoping he’s alright,” O’Neill said. “When we were discussing things in the dressing room it didn’t rear its head, so I’m hoping he’s going to be okay.
“Well, I’m desperately hoping he’s going to be okay, because we need him.”
Maeda had earlier finished off the opening goal before Joe Newell brought Hibs level right on the stroke of half-time, although there was a strong appeal for handball after the ball appeared to brush his arm in the build-up.
O’Neill, however, was not willing to be drawn on the incident, admitting he would need to look at it again.
“I haven’t (seen it again),” he added. “We have a wee monitor at the side, the boys thought it might have been at that stage, but it is what it is.”
Reflecting on the match as a whole, O’Neill highlighted the stop-start nature of the contest and the pressure his side faced.
“I thought we started brightly with some good chances, then Hibs had the man sent off. We’re in front and think we’re as comfortable as you can be, then we conceded a really poor goal just before half-time.
“Then it takes us ages to get the second goal. It was a nervy ending to the game but overall, fine. Hibs fought to the end, it was nervy but we made it hard for ourselves in the end. But we got there.”