Celtic moved closer to securing the Treble with a dominant 2-0 Scottish Cup quarter-final victory over Hibernian, avenging their unexpected defeat in Leith just over two weeks ago…
The in-form Daizen Maeda netted his 27th goal of the season with a simple finish on the 39th minute mark, while substitute Adam Idah sealed the win with a late stoppage-time finish.
Hibernian arrived in high-spirits, unbeaten in their last 15 matches, and aimed to end a 123-year wait for a Scottish Cup victory at Celtic Park – having last triumphed over the Hoops in the 1902 final in Glasgow’s east end.
Another day, another @M_daizen_1020 goal for @CelticFC 🇯🇵
View the Japanese forward’s opener against Hibernian today from an alternative angle 📱#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/aihLhy7LdN
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) March 9, 2025
However, the visitors struggled to match Brendan Rodgers’ Treble-chasing side for majority of the contest. The current Scottish Cup holders enter the hat for this evening’s Scottish Cup semi-final draw which will take place after Livingston against St Johnstone.
Speaking on the game, Hibs boss David Gray told Premier Sports that Celtic deserved to win the cup tie. He said: “I think it’s obviously not a feeling we’ve been used to for a very long time, and that’s credit to the players. It’s never a nice feeling. We’ll never accept losing games of football. But I think, on the whole, Celtic deserved to win the game.”
“When you think back to how the game went, I thought any opportunity we really did have to hurt Celtic our quality let us down at times. So, it’s never for the lack of effort.” You know, I think even the way we defended at times and started the game, Celtic came out flying as we thought they would.”
The goal that ensured victory for @CelticFC today 🔥🍀
A pitchside POV of Adam Idah’s added-time strike against Hibernian 📱#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/ZXtwVC59sO
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) March 9, 2025
“I thought we stood up to that quite well. We lose a goal just before half-time, which is always disappointing. But then we stayed in the game right to the very end without really hurting Celtic.”
🥬 @HibernianFC manager David Gray gives his verdict after Scottish Cup loss to Celtic, and the end of their 15 match unbeaten run
“It’s obviously not a feeling we’ve been used to for a very long time.” 🗣️#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/azYGD2fXb0
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) March 9, 2025
Gray added: “That was the one thing I would say on reflection. We had a bit of a go towards the end, but it just broke down too many times. So, I’ve got no complaints on us getting knocked out on the performance and effort was always there.”
Meanwhile, Rodgers extended his remarkable Scottish Cup record with the Irishman securing his 20th consecutive victory in this competition over his two spells as manager. Let’s hope he reaches 21 and 22 by the end of this campaign.
🍀 @CelticFC manager Brendan Rodgers gives his thoughts after their 2-0 Scottish Cup Quarter-Final win over Hibs
“We knew for us to get into the Semi-Final we had to be the real Celtic today.” 🗣️#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/XidPUsSozf
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) March 9, 2025
Conor Spence
Sign up and receive a free copy of Henrik Larsson’s new book…
