Celtic v the Rangers – Daizen and Jamesy must start

Daizen Maeda and James Forrest must start….

James Forrest
James Forrest in action during the Premier Sports Cup Final victory over theRangers at Hampden on 15 December 2024. Photo AJ for The Celtic Star

Daizen Maeda and James Forrest can be considered as something of Hampden specialists, considering their collective history of success, and individual performances at the national stadium throughout the years for Celtic.

James as we know has won many honours at home of Scottish football (he is the club’s most decorated player after all) and he’s scored his fair share of goals in semi-finals, and finals, so he’s got the knack of both performing and winning in Mount Florida.

The same can be said of Daizen Maeda, who last season took home the match ball after scoring a hat-trick in a 6-0 route of Aberdeen at this stage of the same competition, then a month later he scored a superb goal in the final against today’s opponents, before going on to be the hero as he scored the winning goal in the penalty shoot out as we went home with the trophy, despite it only being a draw according to that Zombie Halloween hack.

Daizen Maeda
Daizen Maeda with the Premier Sports Cup after Celtic’s victory over theRangers on 15 December 2024 at Hampden Park. Photo Kenny Ramsay

The less said about his last appearance at the national stadium the better, but the sentiment still stands. Daizen like Jamesy has a history of performing at this stage, and more importantly, both looked bright and sharp in Wednesday night’s hammering of Falkirk.

Both players should be the first two names on the team sheet today as Martin O’Neill looks to pick up where he left off twenty years ago at Hampden with a brilliant victory.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

About Author

An ordinary everyday Celtic supporters hailing and still residing in Govan in the shadows of the enemy. I’m a season ticket holder. I Witnessed my first Celtic game in 1988 and have attended when I can ever since. Growing up in the 90s I witnessed Celtic at their lowest, and now appreciate the historic success we enjoy today. I enjoy writing about this wonderful football club and hopefully will continue to do so. I’ve always been a keen writer and initially started this a hobby. My ambition is to one day become as good an author as my fellow Celtic Star colleagues.

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2 Comments

  1. Personally I would prefer starting the same line up as Wednesday as Daizen not fully fit but provides an option anywhere across the front three.Perfect for the last 30 minutes against a tired defence

  2. Maeda hasnae had a gid game all season & he is just comin back fae injury … absolute nonsense tae say he “must start.” This is not last season!
    Kenny deserves his chance. Tounekti is a definite & Forrest will start tae.
    Be same team that started v Falkirk imo

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