Celtic star Maeda handed Japan cameo in World Cup qualifier win over China

CELTIC hero Daizen Maeda made an appearance for Japan from the bench in a 2-0 win over China.

The Parkhead forward joined up with the national team for crucial World Cup qualifiers against China and Saudi Arabia.

The international call-up means he won't be available for the match against Dundee United on Saturday or the Glasgow derby against Rangers on February 2.

He also missed last night's 2-1 win against Hearts at Tynecastle.

There were fears Celtic could lose a host of players to Japan call-ups with Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi and Kyogo Furuhashi in contention but only Maeda was named in the squad.

And he played half-an-hour in the 2-0 win over China today as he replaced Yuya Osako.

The Vissel Kobe forward netted the opener for his country with Junya Ito adding a second just minutes after Maeda's introduction.

Next up for the Samurai Blue is a top of the table clash with Saudi Arabia, on February 1, who currently sit one point above them in Third Round qualifying Group B.