Martin O'Neill has offered an injury update on Daizen Maeda after he hobbled off at full-time against Hibs.
The Japanese international gave Celtic the lead at Easter Road this afternoon to set up what ended in a 2-1 victory for the title chasers in Leith.
It became a bit nervy towards the end of the action but it wasn't until the final whistle that Maeda began favouring his left foot after removing his boot.
The Sky Sports cameras captured Maeda wincing and O'Neill was asked about his player in his post-match interview.
But the boss revealed it does not seem so bad for the 28-year-old who has come into some form across the past number of weeks following what has been a difficult season at times.
😬 "We made it really hard for ourselves in the end, but we got there"
🤞 "I desperately hope that he's going to be OK"
Martin O'Neill reacts to Celtic's win at Hibs, gives an update on Daizen Maeda and says he'll be watching Hearts vs Rangers tomorrow 👀 pic.twitter.com/PVUYZdHE4M— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 3, 2026
"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 tapped in the opener before Joe Newell levelled on half-time, but there was a strong shout for handball after it appeared to roll down his arm before he finished.
O'Neill was unable to weigh in on the call, however, as he admits he'd have to view 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."
O'Neill commented on the difficulty of the action, saying: "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."
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