DAIZEN MAEDA hit the breakthrough goal and could have had at least a hat-trick as Celtic overpowered Hibs 2-0 to march into the Scottish Cup semi-finals yesterday.
Adam Idah took the opportunity to claim his first strike in the competition since his late winner against Philippe Clement’s Ibrox side at Hampden on May 25 last year.
Maeda had already blazed one over the bar from 12 yards before he hurtled in to react quicker than anyone else to a ricochet off keeper Jordan Smith to belt in the first six minutes from the interval to pile the pressure on the Edinburgh men at Parkhead.
It was the Japanese speedster’s 27th goal of a prolific campaign and his 13th in his last 13 outings.
NET PROFIT…Daizen Maeda races away after crashing in the opener – and his 27th goal of the season – in the 2-0 Scottish Cup triumph over Hibs at Parkhead.
Idah has now hit 14 since making his switch from Norwich City permanent at the cost of £9.5 million in the summer following his impressive short-term loan stint.
The Republic of Ireland powerhouse had to wait until the 85th minute before he made an appearance as a substitute for Nicolas Kuhn against the Easter Road outfit and sealed the win two minutes into stoppage-time when he swooped to tuck away a right-wing cross from Luke McCowan.
Fans’ favourite Kyogo Furuhashi may have left the building in a £10million January move to Rennes, but the goal supply has not dried up with Maeda sparking on all cylinders and Idah eager to play his part.
So, who will start in the third derby of the season when Barry Ferguson brings his Govan club to Parkhead on Sunday with the champions just three wins away from a fourth successive title?
It’s a question that does not unduly trouble manager Brendan Rodgers who answers: “I don’t lose sleep if the striker’s not scoring, to be honest.
“For me, there’s a responsibility to everyone in the team. But it’s absolutely great if those guys who are paid to score goals and create goals are doing it.
IT’S No.27 FOR No.38…Daizen Maeda celebrates with the Celtic fans.
“Daizen’s anticipation for the first goal against Hibs is incredible, really.
“If you look at when he moves, the distance in such a short space he makes over the centre-half to get the finish was great. Then Adam coming in, I know what he can bring. He can bring goals.
“He can give us that physicality when we need it. We could have had a few more in the last 10 minutes.”
Rodgers, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “Does it give me a selection headache ahead for the Rangers game? No. There’s no headache. I sleep well. I sleep very well.
“I know the players have been great. I’ll pick what I think is the best team and then know that at some point we’ll need other players to come into the game.”
Rodgers is looking forward to the visit of Rangers and around 2,500 fans in six days’ time – the first occasion in seven years the Ibrox club will have such a backing in the east end of the city – and had a dress rehearsal against the Leith outfit who had 7,500 followers backing them in the Cup-tie.
THE CLINCHER…Adam Idah whips in No.2 after being set up by Luke McCowan.
The Hoops gaffer added: “I thought it was a great atmosphere. A beautiful day, the noise was good and that activates our supporters, as well.
“Hibs have had a really, really good run. They’ll be disappointed to lose, but the supporters can be proud of their team. For us, our supporters, too, they can have so much pride in their team because of what they’ve given to the season.
“The professionalism, the passion that they’re playing with and the hunger to gain results consistently is very impressive.
“I thought the atmosphere was really good. Listen, the game next week is about 2,500 Rangers supporters. Hopefully in time that might grow, but if not, at least we get some allocation of supporters in the away games.”
