DAIZEN MAEDA scored for the third successive against Hibs at Easter Road as the jet-heeled striker got the ball rolling against in the capital yesterday.
The Japanese striker passed up two excellent opportunities inside the opening 25 minutes when he blazed waywardly over the bar after being sent clear following an astute through ball from Callum McGregor.
And Maeda had the visiting fans groaning again when he whipped a low angled drive well wide of the target after being set up by Yang Hyun-jun.
Thankfully, it was third time lucky in the 41st minute after Alistair Johnston worked a one-two with Benjamin Nygren before lashing a low right-wing cross into the box.
SEEING DOUBLE…Daizen Maeda strokes the opening goal past stranded Hibs keeper Raphael Sallinger in Celtic’s 2-1 win at Easter Road in November and (below) the Japanese striker thumps in the first goal past the sprawling Jordan Smith for the first in the 2-1 victory at the same venue yesterday.
Maeda reacted quicker than the home rearguard to wallop the ball into the net from close range.
There was a delay in the celebrations after assistant match official Douglas Ross flagged for offside. Don Robertson checked the strike on VAR and gave it the green light when images proved the goal was good.
Maeda also netted in the Hoops’ 2-1 win at the same venue in November and did likewise the previous season. He had the ball in the net for a second time in that game in February last year which would have made the result 2-2.
However, VAR’s Alan Muir intervened to chalk it off after ruling Johnston’s right-wing ball had gone out of play before he crossed it.
The blundering official was sacked from his post six weeks later when there was no proof that referee Steven McLean, who awarded the goal, had made “a clear and obvious error”.
Kelechi Iheanacho made certain there was no doubt where the points were heading on this occasion when he rattled in the 72nd-minute winner.
The strikes from Maeda and the Nigerian international are worth a second look – courtesy of those good folk at Celtic TV Unique Angle.
Please enjoy!
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