Under strength, but no problem thanks to Celtic’s main man Daizen Maeda yet again…
Magnificent Maeda
Celtic marched into the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup after a convincing win against Championship side Raith Rovers.
Despite fielding a weakened starting line up which included the absence of our first choice goalkeeper and back four, it was a stroll in the park as we put our name in the hat for Mondays draw. Only Callum McGregor and Daizen Maeda started from the team that took the field in midweek against Dundee, so that was nine changes as Brendan Rodgers rested legs ahead of the next game.
Daizen is the star of the show
The star of the show today was that man Daizen Maeda, who else? Our sensational Japanese striker was the star man on Wednesday when he scored a brace in a thumping victory, and went one better against Raith by taking home the match ball after a brilliantly taken hat-trick.
Daizen is undoubtedly our most important player at the moment, and he showed that yet again with a ruthless display against Barry Robson’s side. It goes without saying that we’ll miss his presence greatly against Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening.
Luke McCowan also made the most of a rare start by putting in a fine display and topped it off with a goal. Yang also got on the scoresheet after striking home a nice half a volley after a superb ball by Anthony Ralston, who seems to get an assist every time he starts.
At the back young Dane Murray looked assured, although he was rarely tested, and the same could be said of Finnish Keeper Viljami Sinisalo who was making his competitive debut for Celtic.
Injury scare for Paul Bernardo
The only negative was the early withdrawal of Paulo Bernardo who looked to have picked up a slight ankle knock, although Brendan later confirmed that it was more a precaution and is nothing serious. The Portuguese midfielder should be fine for Wednesday.
Daizen Maeda with his children, Soyo and Tensei pre match before scoring 3 against Raith Rovers ⚡️🍀 pic.twitter.com/Wjt8RKvbej
— Celtic Curio (@Celticcurio) February 8, 2025
The game itself was as straightforward, and comfortable as we all hoped for and probably expected, and we can now look forward to the massive test that is Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.
Jota to start against Bayern Munich
Jota will start, but there will be no Daizen until the second leg. It’s going to be an incredible night at Celtic Park that is for certain. Bet you can’t wait…
This is great.
On the day he scored his 50th goal and secured his 3rd consecutive Man Of The Match award, Daizen's kids were also mascots.To quote the great man, 'Celtic are a fairytale club'. 💚 pic.twitter.com/lnxkgDfhUP
— Davie McLaughlin (@McLaughlin_1888) February 8, 2025
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Every Celtic player looked happy for maeda scored the first of three goals I’m sure he is popular player in the dressing room even with few enlish words he looks more happy in the middle and idah has his work cut out to budge him so much for not having a striker to replace kyoko his goal against dundee was of a class striker it wasnt luck and his three goals today were strikers goal the second was a great move thats why spl teams park the bus and with forest on the way back we have four wingers that’s five counting maeda that can get to byline and get the ball in across goals more shots from distance that many people in the box it can go any where McGregor unlucky in hitting junction of the goals would have capped a 10 out of 10 performance