Daizen Maeda is Celtic torturer in chief as Falkirk feel the Midas touch \u2013 five talking points<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last season everything he touched seemed to be Maeda gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s looked more like silver or bronze for the champions for long spells this time round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was far from perfect again from Martin O\u2019Neill\u2019s side but after getting over the line in a 3-1 win over Falkirk they\u2019re now level top with Hearts – the first time they\u2019ve been able to say that for 209 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a stadium re-energised by the return of the Green Brigade the Hoops\u2019 running man Maeda tortured Falkirk into two blunders that led to his own opener and Kieran Tierney\u2019s second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He then slotted home the clincher with seven minutes to go after Kyrell Wilson had halved the deficit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The win piles the pressure onto Hearts and Rangers ahead of their games against Hibs and Motherwell on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And Martin O\u2019Neill won\u2019t mind a jot that it came with another heavy dose of jittery moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indeed it took a flying save from Viljami Sinisalo to deny Brad Spencer volleying the visitors into the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Parkhead got the opener they craved after 29 minutes when Maeda netted his 10th of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Japan international chased down Keelan Adams midway inside the Bairns half, blocked the dithering defender\u2019s clearance and with his next touch despatched a 25 yard effort past backpedalling Nicky Hogarth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Hoops had their foothold. Four minutes from the break they got stepped on the gas as Tierney doubled the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Again Maeda\u2019s pressure won the ball deep inside the visitors\u2019 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hyunjun Yang had the ball in the net after 57 minutes only for the offside flag to deny the Hoops a third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suddenly the nerves were back. Wilson had another sniff of goal but shot straight at Sinisalo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hoops and prayers<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Level at the top and gaining momentum. This was another afternoon where Celtic\u2019s sheer grit and determination showed they are firmly in this title fight. It wasn\u2019t 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\u2019Neill\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kris Boyd Praises Daizen Maeda\u2019s Brace as Celtic Edge Past Falkirk<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the wake of Celtic\u2019s 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\u2019s standout performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s first goal came from outside the box, while his second was a composed finish from Sebastian Tounekti\u2019s cut-back, showcasing his clinical edge and relentless work rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boyd, rarely one to lavish praise on Celtic players, highlighted Maeda\u2019s energy and finishing quality during the post-match analysis. \u201cMaeda was excellent today,\u201d Boyd noted. \u201cHe\u2019s got that pace and hunger that causes problems for any defence. Those two goals weren\u2019t just lucky; they showed real composure and movement. Celtic look a different team when he\u2019s on song like that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The win keeps Celtic firmly in the title hunt under manager Martin O\u2019Neill, with Maeda\u2019s contribution proving decisive against a spirited Falkirk side that managed a consolation goal through K. Wilson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boyd\u2019s comments have drawn attention across Scottish football circles, as the pundit acknowledged the forward\u2019s impact despite his traditional allegiances. Fans and analysts alike see Maeda\u2019s form as a vital boost for Celtic\u2019s remaining fixtures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With his pace, pressing, and now proven goal threat, Daizen Maeda continues to be a key figure in Celtic\u2019s campaign. Boyd\u2019s rare praise only underlines just how impressive the 28-year-old was on the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Double figure Daizen<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That same tenacity won the ball for Tierney\u2019s 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\u2019Neill\u2019s faith and slotted home the clincher before wasting a lit edged chance for his hat trick in the final minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bairn again<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s men to be two down at the break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019t enough to avoid a defeat and their faint Euro hopes look over for this season. But it\u2019s been a hugely successful first season back in the top flight for McGlynn\u2019s men and they could still have a big say on the destination of the title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Winter woes<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No Tomas Cvancara, no Joel Mvuka, no Junior Adamu, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the bench\u2026 if ever a team sheet spoke of Celtic\u2019s woeful winter window then this was it. Add in the absentee \u00a35m summer signing Michel-Ange Balikwisha and the Hoops\u2019 problems were spelled out by the guys who weren\u2019t on it. Martin O\u2019Neill 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stand up for the Hoops<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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