DAIZEN MAEDA appeared to be the calmest man at a frenzied Hampden as he strode forward to tuck the deciding penalty-kick past Jack Butland.
As the Japanese speedster’s effort swept to the right while the keeper took off to his left, the frantic Premier Sports League Cup Final had been settled with Celtic winning 5-4 on spot-kick after a remarkable two hours-plus that had ended in a 3-3 stalemate.
Adam Idah, Callum McGregor, Arne Engels and Reo Hatate had made impeccable jobs of their attempts from 12 yards while Kasper Schmeichel had superbly denied Ridvan Yilmaz at Rangers’ fourth effort.
If the pressure was telling on Maeda as he placed the ball on the spot then you can only say his disguise was perfect.
THE WINNING KICK…Daizen Maeda’s mishit effort gives Celtic the Premier Sports League Cup.
As the winger, who scored Celtic’s second goal in actual time to add to Greg Taylor’s diverted drive before Nicolas Kuhn whipped in No.3, celebrated with his team-mates and the fans after a marathon confrontation at the national stadium he made a surprise admission.
Meada said: “I wasn’t nervous at all. But because I was tired, and it was also a mis-kick, so it was a great goal.
“Was I worried? Not really, because of that the ball went the opposite side of the keeper. So, it was a very good moment.
“The celebration from the supporters shows you a lot and we had to win this game, so it was good to get the result.”
Maeda is clearly a man more than happy to do his talking on the pitch. The pacy raider snapped up a loose ball from Nico Raskin before leaving Leon Balogun in his slipstream and sliding the ball beyond the advancing Butland to make it 2-1 for the Hoops on the hour mark.
The international ace, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “When you control well then it’s easy to score the goals. That’s how I went for that.
HOOP HOOP HOORAY…Kasper Schmeichel congratulates Daizen Maeda as the joyous team-mates join in the Hampden celebrations.
“It was kind of a reminder for me to control well before I got the shot. I’m happy to make the supporters feel good. At this club you have to win, you can’t lose or draw. I’m very glad we’ve got the first trophy his year.
“Now we’re the only one who has the chance to win the treble. But right now we just enjoy the moment and, after we have a rest, we will try to focus on the next game.”
Family man Maeda added: “Everything I achieve is for my children, especially my son as he now understands football and he sees me playing and how I play.
“I like to make him smile.”
And a few million others, Daizen!
SCHMEICHEL, MAEDA ARE SILVERWARE CELTS
