CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted he could move Daizen Maeda up front again if Adam Idah is sidelined for a prolonged period of time by the ankle injury he suffered against Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday.
Rodgers was awaiting the results of a scan on Republic of Ireland internationalist Idah when he spoke to the media today ahead of the William Hill Premiership match against Dundee at Parkhead tomorrow evening.
He is optimistic the £9m summer signing will not be sidelined long-term as a result of the reckless challenge, which opposition defender Liam Gordon received a red card from referee David Dickinson for, he was subjected to.
But the Northern Irishman confessed that winger Maeda, who netted a double when he was deployed through the middle in the Premier Sports Cup win over Hibernian back in August in the absence of Kyogo Furuhashi and Idah, could be moved into attack again if he is.
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“It was a nasty knock Adam took,” said Rodgers. “I think that it was a poor challenge. Thankfully, the ground was a bit wet, so his foot was able to move. If it was a dry pitch and his foot had stuck in the field, then it could have been be a really, really, really bad one.
“But he's got a wee bit more movement in it these last couple of days. We're hopeful that he'll come out of it okay. We haven't lost him yet, so we'll wait and see what the scan says. I can't worry until I get the results back.
“But, yes, it wasn't a great challenge. After the game, you don't have a lot of time as a manager and coach to look at these things in great detail. But when you actually come away and look at it, it was a poor challenge. I still feel that he (Gordon) obviously didn't mean to do harm with it.”
The Celtic manager believes Kettlewell, who has now accepted the punishment, will have revised his opinion after watching replays of the flashpoint.
“Yes, I think he will do,” he said. “For managers after a game, it's sometimes difficult because you're coming in, you're coming in to address your players, there's so many things you're having to look at. Then very quickly you're out into your press duty for an hour or so or whatever.
“So, yes, sometimes as a manager, you don't quite get that true look at it and reflection to it. But I'm pretty sure when he saw it again he will have. The player didn't look like he meant to make the challenge he did, but it's still a poor challenge.
“He was on the stretch, he's off the floor and it's a bad challenge. So I don't think you can deny that it's not that. So, I think when Stuart saw it again, he will have seen that as well. I respect he has to defend the player, but it's still a poor challenge.
“I think anyone would say it was a sending off. Listen, it's one of those things that hopefully Adam has got away with. Fingers crossed for Adam and for our squad that he can come through and be okay.”
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Idah’s injury leaves Rodgers with just one fit specialist striker and he confessed that Maeda could be asked to switch positions once again. “If needed, if needed,” he said. “Earlier on in the season and when Daizen played up front and he scored two goals. So, I think it's a position he can play.
“We want to have as many of our players fit and available for all the games that we have. But, yes, it is a position that Daizen can play.”
Celtic captain Callum McGregor missed the Motherwell game due to an abductor issue and Rodgers was unsure if the midfielder will be available to play against Dundee this evening. However, he is certain his skipper will be fit for the Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Aberdeen at Hampden on Saturday evening.
“We'll just assess and see how he reacts to his bit of work that he did today,” he said. “If not, then he'll definitely be fine for the weekend.”
