Key Celtic player Daizen Maeda has declared himself fit to face Rangers.

The Japanese winger has thrown out any questions over his fitness ahead of the crucial title clash.

Maeda, 26, returned to the Celtic squad for the win over Hearts on Saturday.

It was feared the winger would be sidelined but Maeda recovered "remarkably well" to make the squad for the Scottish Premiership fixture.

While he wasn't in the starting line-up, Maeda did come on against Hearts after 72 minutes and received a warm welcome from supporters as he took to the pitch.

And after the win, Maeda declared he was ready for Rangers as he thanked fans for their backing.

He posted on social media: "I was moved by the cheers the moment I entered the pitch.

"Thank you to all my fans and supporters!

"I'm ready for the next game!"

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Ahead of the win over Hearts, Rodgers had said of Maeda: "He'll come into the squad for the weekend and it is great news for us.

"When you think he was maybe not going to be available to us that was the initial thinking medically.

"He has recovered remarkably well and we can all see that he is a specimen physically.

"It's great that he's back and it's brilliant news for us."