One of Celtic's biggest problems this season has undoubtedly been the sheer raft of injuries that Brendan Rodgers has had to contend with.
There have been very few moments, if any, this season where the gaffer has been able to deploy a full-strength side, but it appeared as though the squad was returning to full-strength at the perfect point in the season with the title race looking set to go down to the wire.
That was, however, until the manager confirmed that Daizen Maeda is out of action for the run-in.
"He picked up an injury high up in his hamstring tendon," explained Rodgers. “We will have to see what that looks like over the coming weeks. “It is something the medical team will look at but we will see where it goes and we will understand better what inclusion he will have between now and the end of the season.”
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Hamstring tendon injuries can usually keep a player out of action for between two and three months, meaning that Maeda would be ruled out of action for the rest of the season.
This isn't the first injury the Japanese cult hero has suffered this season. He also spent nearly two months on the sidelines towards the end of 2023, and the absence of his energy and relentless work-rate is always felt in the Celtic side. When he was out earlier this season, Celtic failed to beat Kilmarnock and Motherwell in the league.
It is a massive blow in the title race, but John Kennedy was talking up the options that Celtic have available in the wide areas, and there are a number of players who can fill in for Daizen Maeda until the end of the season.
Considering the options available, who looks to be best prepared to take Maeda's place on the left wing for the remainder of this title fight?
Yang Hyun-jun
The Korean has been in and out of the team since signing last summer, and that has been due to his form being very hot and cold this season.
He has impressed in flashes, but has never really been able to get that strong run of games under his belt to cement his place in the starting XI.
He looked to be coming into a bit of form before he picked up a red card at Tynecastle against Hearts, but he will be a strong option for Celtic should he be able to rediscover that form.
Luis Palma
The Honduran made his first appearance for Celtic since 28th February when he came on from the bench against St Mirren at the weekend.
A naturally left-sided player, it would make a lot more sense to play Palma in Maeda's place. Over the course of this season, the 24-year-old has shown far more quality than Yang and on a more consistent basis.
Consistency is the key for Celtic in this title race, and if Palma can find a bit more of it, he could be a key player for Celtic in the final few games of the season.
James Forrest
Now into his 15th season in the hoops, veteran James Forrest has been called Celtic's "best winger" by Brendan Rodgers.
The key factors in selecting Forrest would be his experience and winning mentality. He is just 13 appearances shy of 500 in a Celtic jersey, and has scored and created over 100 goals for the club.
Add to this his trophy haul of 22 domestic gongs (just three behind Celtic's most decorated player, Bobby Lennox), and it would be no surprise if Rodgers gave the 32-year-old the nod.
James Mckenzie // @JamesWHMcKenzie