Maeda strikes again as Celtic sink Hibernian in Scottish Cup quarter-final
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PA Media

Sun 9 Mar 2025 14.20 EDT

Last modified on Sun 9 Mar 2025 17.27 EDT

Daizen Maeda continued his fine goalscoring form to send Celtic on their way to Hampden Park as they beat Hibernian 2-0 in their  quarter-final.

The Japan attacker pounced on a rebound to net from close range in the 39th minute for his 14th goal in 13 matches, and 28th for the season. The substitute Adam Idah sealed the victory in stoppage time as  remained on course for a domestic treble.

Hibs arrived at Celtic Park with 7,000 travelling fans and a team on the back of a 15-match unbeaten run which included a league win over Celtic two weeks ago. They had a good chance to take the lead through Kieron Bowie but Kasper Schmeichel made a strong save and it proved the visitors’ only effort on target.

Celtic had made a flying start and the Hibs goalkeeper, Jordan Smith, stopped Callum McGregor’s long-range drive before Nectar Triantis headed Jota’s corner off the line. The visitors weathered that early storm and almost netted out of the blue when Nicky Cadden’s throw-in put Bowie in the clear. Schmeichel stood up well to parry the former Fulham forward’s shot away at his near post.

Hibernian then lost Cadden to what looked like a hamstring injury and Maeda had a good chance to score just before his opener when Reo Hatate’s ball over the top sent him clear. Rocky Bushiri’s shoulder charge knocked the striker off-balance and his shot went off target.

Maeda didn’t miss his next opportunity, which came from Jeffrey Schlupp’s low cross. Smith made a one-handed stop from Nicolas Kühn’s first-time strike and Maeda connected with the rebound before the ball touched the ground, volleying home from close range to break the deadlock.





Hatate soon had a 25-yard strike tipped over as Celtic ended the half as they had started it, but the noisy away support retained hope while the score remained 1-0. Smith saved from Jota after a typical run inside from the winger and Jack Iredale nicked the ball off Kühn’s feet as the German ran in on goal.

Maeda then slid in to meet Alistair Johnston’s low cross but put the ball wide from close range and Schlupp shot just past the upright from 20 yards. Hibs’ efforts to force extra-time with an equaliser were not helped by Chris Cadden pulling up with a muscle strain.

With David Gray having already made five substitutions, the former Motherwell player was forced to struggle on. Celtic went for the kill, and Idah slotted home from fellow substitute Luke McCowan’s cutback. There was still time for Smith to make saves from McCowan and Maeda, but the result was beyond doubt.

Brendan Rodgers extended his perfect run in the Scottish Cup to 20 ties with this victory, as his team joined Aberdeen, Hearts and either Livingston or St Johnstone in Monday’s semi-final draw.
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