RabiuDaizen Maeda is Celtic torturer in chief as Falkirk feel the Midas touch – five talking points
The Japanese bagged a double to ease the title jitters in the second half against the bairns as martin O’Neill’s men go joint top
Last season everything he touched seemed to be Maeda gold.
It’s looked more like silver or bronze for the champions for long spells this time round.
But just when it matters most Daizen Maeda appears to be rediscovering the kind of form that could yet see Celtic take first prize in this pulsating Premiership title race.
This was far from perfect again from Martin O’Neill’s side but after getting over the line in a 3-1 win over Falkirk they’re now level top with Hearts – the first time they’ve been able to say that for 209 days.
In a stadium re-energised by the return of the Green Brigade the Hoops’ running man Maeda tortured Falkirk into two blunders that led to his own opener and Kieran Tierney’s second.
He then slotted home the clincher with seven minutes to go after Kyrell Wilson had halved the deficit.
The win piles the pressure onto Hearts and Rangers ahead of their games against Hibs and Motherwell on Sunday.
And Martin O’Neill won’t mind a jot that it came with another heavy dose of jittery moments.
Despite dominating the ball early on the Hoops could only muster an Arne Engels effort that was way too high in the opening 20 minutes.
Indeed it took a flying save from Viljami Sinisalo to deny Brad Spencer volleying the visitors into the lead.
But Parkhead got the opener they craved after 29 minutes when Maeda netted his 10th of the season.
The Japan international chased down Keelan Adams midway inside the Bairns half, blocked the dithering defender’s clearance and with his next touch despatched a 25 yard effort past backpedalling Nicky Hogarth.
The Hoops had their foothold. Four minutes from the break they got stepped on the gas as Tierney doubled the lead.
Again Maeda’s pressure won the ball deep inside the visitors’ half and after taking a ball back off James Forrest he fed Tierney who burst into the box and smashed an unstoppable effort high past Hogarth.
Hyunjun Yang had the ball in the net after 57 minutes only for the offside flag to deny the Hoops a third.
But too often this season the Hoops have failed to put games to bed. And seven minutes after coming off the bench Kyrell Wilson fired Falkirk right back into the contest as he latched onto a diagonal and thundered a wonderful half volley past Sinisalo.
Suddenly the nerves were back. Wilson had another sniff of goal but shot straight at Sinisalo.
And the third goal the Hoops desperately needed finally arrived with seven minutes to go as sub Sebastian Tounekti beat his man on the right and cut back perfectly for Maeda to pass a first time effort beyond Hogarth.
Hoops and prayers
Level at the top and gaining momentum. This was another afternoon where Celtic’s sheer grit and determination showed they are firmly in this title fight. It wasn’t perfect. But nobody leaving Parkhead last night will care after the champions ramped up the pressure on Hearts and Rangers. They may have been 2-0 up at the break and have bossed 54 per cent of the ball but O’Neill’s men never looked completely in control against a Falkirk side that pressed them high, fed off sloppiness and could easily have been ahead had Sinisalo not been alert to Spencer’s volley. But Celtic were better where it matters – in both boxes. Led by the unplayable Maeda at one end and the dominant Liam Scales and Austin Trusty at the other the Hoops got the job done. The sight of Alistair Johnston coming off the bench for the final 20 minutes was also a welcome boost ahead of the business end of the season.
Kris Boyd Praises Daizen Maeda’s Brace as Celtic Edge Past Falkirk
In the wake of Celtic’s 3-1 victory over Falkirk on Saturday, April 25, 2026, former Rangers striker and Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd was full of admiration for Daizen Maeda’s standout performance.
The Japanese forward grabbed a brace in the Scottish Premiership clash at Celtic Park, scoring in the 30th and 83rd minutes to help the Hoops secure all three points and move level on points with league leaders Hearts. Maeda’s first goal came from outside the box, while his second was a composed finish from Sebastian Tounekti’s cut-back, showcasing his clinical edge and relentless work rate.
Boyd, rarely one to lavish praise on Celtic players, highlighted Maeda’s energy and finishing quality during the post-match analysis. “Maeda was excellent today,” Boyd noted. “He’s got that pace and hunger that causes problems for any defence. Those two goals weren’t just lucky; they showed real composure and movement. Celtic look a different team when he’s on song like that.”
The win keeps Celtic firmly in the title hunt under manager Martin O’Neill, with Maeda’s contribution proving decisive against a spirited Falkirk side that managed a consolation goal through K. Wilson.
Boyd’s comments have drawn attention across Scottish football circles, as the pundit acknowledged the forward’s impact despite his traditional allegiances. Fans and analysts alike see Maeda’s form as a vital boost for Celtic’s remaining fixtures.
With his pace, pressing, and now proven goal threat, Daizen Maeda continues to be a key figure in Celtic’s campaign. Boyd’s rare praise only underlines just how impressive the 28-year-old was on the day.
Double figure Daizen
This season has been a bit of a slog compared to last year for Daizen Maeda. But his opener here – his 10th goal of the season – was absolutely vital and typical of the Hoops’ running man. Keelan Adams thought he had all the time in the world to pick a pass midway inside his own half. Normally he would. But Maeda easily on him in a flash, not only winning the ball but bending a clever early shot past Hogarth before the caught-out goalkeeper could get set.
That same tenacity won the ball for Tierney’s second too. Maeda looked hungry from the start here. Preferred to Kelechi Iheanacho and Tomas Cvancara who appears to be in Siberia, he repaid O’Neill’s faith and slotted home the clincher before wasting a lit edged chance for his hat trick in the final minutes.
Bairn again
Falkirk were dealt a huge blow ahead of kick off with key men Scott Bain, Filip Lissah and Liam Henderson ruled out through injury. It never looked to bother the Bairns early on as they pressed the Hoops, knocked the ball about with confidence and controlled spells of the opening period. Spencer and Tait went close in the first half and it was harsh on John McGlynn’s men to be two down at the break.
But McGlynn rang the changes 15 minutes into the second half and one of those subs, Wilson blew the contest wide open with a wonderful finish. It wasn’t enough to avoid a defeat and their faint Euro hopes look over for this season. But it’s been a hugely successful first season back in the top flight for McGlynn’s men and they could still have a big say on the destination of the title.
Winter woes
No Tomas Cvancara, no Joel Mvuka, no Junior Adamu, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the bench… if ever a team sheet spoke of Celtic’s woeful winter window then this was it. Add in the absentee £5m summer signing Michel-Ange Balikwisha and the Hoops’ problems were spelled out by the guys who weren’t on it. Martin O’Neill went with the tried and trusted. Needs must and it was the old guard of James Forrest – back on the wing starting a league game for the first time in six months – Kieran Tierney and Maeda who led the way.
Stand up for the Hoops
No sooner were the Green Brigade allowed back in Parkhead this month than the ultras were publishing a three-point action plan for the rest of the support in a bid to drag their heroes over the line. They called on the other sections of Parkhead to raise the noise levels and stand up for the duration of the game to give their side maximum backing. Whatever you think of the ultras their presence has certainly given matchday at Parkhead a much needed jolt. With their civil war with the board on the backburner this united front has given the Hoops a much needed and timely boost.
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