Daizen Maeda played down the brilliance of his spectacular overhead kick after inspiring Celtic to a 3-1 derby victory over the Ibrox club at Celtic Park.
The Japanese forward struck twice in the second half as Celtic came from behind to claim a vital win as they chase down a fifth consecutive league title.
The Ibrox club had taken the lead through Mikey Moore before Yang Hyun-jun brought the Hoops level 15 minute later.
Maeda then took control of the game after the break, scoring Celtic’s second before producing a spectacular finish that will live long in the memory with the Hoops support.
‘It was just lucky,’ says Daizen
Despite the quality of the strike, the 28-year-old remained modest when discussing the goal after the match. “It was just lucky,” Maeda said with a smile through his translator during an interview with Sky Sports.
Asked what he was thinking before attempting the effort, the Celtic attacker explained: “I had a good felling so I thought, ‘Why not just try it?’ Luckily I scored.”
Maeda’s latest performance continues a sensational run of form during the closing stages of the campaign.
After netting 33 times last season and collecting the club’s Player of the Year award, the forward has endured a less prolific campaign this term, though his recent resurgence now leaves him with six goals in his last four appearances.
Six goals in four games for our man from Japan
The Celtic forward credited supporters for helping drive his improved displays in recent weeks. “I think it’s because of the fans,” he said. “We want to pay them back and work hard for them. That’s the reason, I think.”
The result officially eliminates Danny Rohl’s men from the title race and leaves Celtic with control of their own destiny heading into the final two matches of the Premiership season.
Martin O’Neill’s side travel to Motherwell next before a potentially decisive final-day meeting with Hearts.
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1 Comment
There’s no luck involved within taking on such an effort at goal.
The outcome when it goes in, are spectacular, but in most cases you would be questioning why a player was taking such an effort on, in the first instance, when the probability of it going horribly wrong are so high?
Massive sign in the confidence and freedom Maeda is finally playing with in his own game, and our team is benefiting hugely now, with the mentality and desire shown from Maeda now.
Been a long time in waiting for ourselves this season, but if that turns out to be his parting gift to ourselves during the summer period, then it’s one that won’t be forgotten for a very long time imo?
Yang goal in the same fixture, was a worthy winner of the goal of the season, up until yesterday imo?
But that from Maeda out does the Yang goal, despite the beauty of both goals, having no rights to be goals, when the players received the ball.
This within a season, where we have been spoilt with the amount of misses of the season.
Think Maeda has a few efforts in that list also, but can forget about them now for the time being all the same imo?
Definitely the biggest WOW moment of our season to date