Match Pictures | Matches: 2024 – 2025
Trivia
- KO: 15:00, Saturday, Celtic TV
- Back after the international break: Scotland relegated from Nations League A after 3-1 loss (agg) v Greece; Ireland 4-2 Bulgaria (Idah scored one) ; Celtic youth player Jude Bonnar scored debut goal for Scotland U-21s v Ireland. AJs Canada defeated CCVs USA 2-1.
- Sinisalo starts due to Schemiechel out injured, so makes his league debut.
- Paulo Bernardo & Forrest back in the running for a squad place after long time out injured. Both on off the bench.
- Brendan Rodgers confirms that Greg Taylor likely set to leave at end of season.
- Kasper Schmeichel injured during Denmark match, injury is not a minor one and had his left arm in a sling.
- Huge crowds in the Scottish Premiership 3pm’s today, almost 103,000 fans attended the four games.
- Celtic in talks over formal Glasgow title celebrations. Private discussions between Celtic, community leaders, Glasgow City Council, and Police Scotland taken place ahead of the league conclusion to prevent potential future disorder.
- Reports: Celtic after Serhou Yadaly Guirassy;
- Celtic reportedly made initial offer of £1.7m for midfielder Kalidou Sidibe, currently in French second tier with Guingamp, but face competition. Celtic to block any move for Cameron Carter–Vickers this summer. Celtic are interested in Arne Engels’ former Augsburg team-mate Elvis Rexhbecaj, a 27-year-old defensive midfielder from Kosovo.
- Celtic fan groups have once again united under the banner of Fans Against Criminalisation and organised a protest at London Road police station before the Hearts game after recent despicable treatment of fans by Police Scotland.
- Mystery continued to surround Celtic midfielder Odin Thiago Holm, still unavailable for his debut selection on loan to Los Angeles despite recovering from injury. Finally made his debut as a late substitute in 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City.
- Daizen Maeda hints he could be uncertain about his Celtic future. Celtic set to offer him a new contract with his current deal running out in the summer of 2027.
- Reports that Rennes boss Habib Beye wants a ‘higher-calibre striker’ and predicts that Kyogo could leave after being labelled as a ‘casting mistake’ by Rennes! Only joined two months back for £9m!
- F1: Eddie Jordan, former F1 team owner and TV pundit, died aged 76. He was a big Celtic fan and was partly responsible in helping Gordon Strachan become Celtic manager. RIP
- Boxing: heavyweight legend George Foreman died aged 76. RIP
- Ex-Celtic manager & player Neil Lennon appointed Dunfermline’s new manager. Ex-Celt Wanyama to join up as a player in a very surprising move!
- First match for Neil Lennon is Dunfermline away to Ayr, coincidentally managed by ex Celt Scott Brown! Ayr won 2-0 and Wanyama was sent off in his debut!
- Alastair Johnston, whose new contract ties him to Celtic until 2029, says his family is very settled and he is “in no rush to take a Scottish dog out of Scotland” as that would “be its own challenge”.
- Huge earthquake kills hundreds in Myanmar & Thailand. RIP
Summary
BBC:
Three and easy for Celtic, who move 16 points clear at the top.
Two for Daizen Maeda and one from Jota had the league leaders three up at the break. A quiet second half had the feel of a training session.
Hearts stay in sixth despite the defeat.
Decisive win as Maeda shines againpublished at 17:08 Greenwich Mean Time 17:08 GMT FT: Celtic 3-0 Hearts Martin Dowden BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
Celtic were clinical in key moments to simply swat Hearts away and, once again, Daizen Maeda takes the plaudits as another Premiership title closes in. The fact that there’s been hardly a mention of Kyogo Furuhashi since his departure says it all. Maeda has been sensational and his 30 goals tally is quite incredible. Talks on a new deal might be accelerated as there are bound to be admirers given the qualities he has. Hearts were impressive early on but after being ripped apart by three excellent goals, it was more about regrouping and avoiding a damaging scoreline. They did and now have two big, big games ahead.
Maeda just can’t stop delivering
Martin Dowden
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
There was a bit more to this win than just Daizen Maeda but his contribution to Celtic this season has been enormous.
Thirty goals is an incredible return, particularly given he was a winger for the most part.
He is lethal right now and has evolved into Celtic’s star man when for most of his time in Glasgow he worked away effectively without dominating the headlines week in, week out.
How Brendan Rodgers would love to get a new deal signed and sealed. He has two years left as things stand but there’s not many players like him, operating at the level he is with such consistency.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells BBC Scotland: “The way we played through the press for all three goals was really impressive.
“For the players to come back from the international break and to play with the connection and authority, I was really pleased.
“You see what Daizen Maeda gives the team with that relentless appetite to press. When he’s in, you fancy him to score.”
BP on Bluesky: Some great attacking play in the first half. Game drifted a bit in the second half but a very comfortable win. Maeda continues his incredible season. What a player.
AgentScotland: 40 goal contributions so far in 2024-25 for Daizen Maeda, one more than Kyogo’s best season, with still 8, potentially 9 games left in the season, Odsonne Edouard had 47 at the same stage when the season was stopped early in 19-20, but other than that, he’s in Larsson territory.
Teams
Celtic
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4 – 3 – 3
12 V. Sinisalo
15 J. Schlupp
17 M. Nawrocki
20 C. Carter-Vickers
02 A. Johnston
41 R. Hatate, subbed for L. McCowan at 81mins
42 C. McGregor (c), Captain, subbed for Paulo Bernardo at 64mins
27 A. Engels
07 Jota, subbed for J. Forrest at 81mins
38 D. Maeda, subbed for A. Idah at 71mins
10 N. Kühn, subbed for Yang Hyun-Jun at 72mins
Subs:
29 S. Bain
49 J. Forrest
28 Paulo Bernardo
09 A. Idah
14 L. McCowan
56 A. Ralston
03 G. Taylor
06 A. Trusty
13 Yang Hyun-Jun
Goals:
D. Maeda (17′, 41′)
Jota (24′)
Assists:
C. McGregor (17′), N. Kühn (41′)
Hearts
01 C. Gordon
18 H. Milne
23 L. Neilson
15 M. Steinwender
29 J. Penrice
06 B. Baningime, subbed for S. Kartum at 70mins
14 C. Devlin, subbed for B. Spittal at 71mins
35 A. Forrester 55′, Yellow Card at 55mins
09 L. Shankland (c), Captain, subbed for J. Grant at 71mins
19 E. Kabangu, subbed for A. Forrest at 86mins
21 J. Wilson, subbed for C. Nieuwenhof at 46mins
Subs:
28 Z. Clark
20 Y. Dhanda
37 M. Drammeh
17 A. Forrest
07 J. Grant
04 C. Halkett
27 S. Kartum
08 C. Nieuwenhof
16 B. Spittal
Referee Kevin Clancy
Video Assistant Referee Greg Aitken
Assistant Referee 1 Ross MacLeod
Assistant Referee 2 David Roome
Fourth Official Sean Murdoch
Assistant VAR Official Chris Rae
Att:
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Overall possession
Celtic 71% Hearts 29%
Shots
Celtic 12 Hearts 7
Shots on target
Celtic 6 Hearts 2
Total touches inside the box
Celtic 28 Hearts 11
Goalkeeper saves
Celtic 2 Hearts 3
Fouls
Celtic 14 Hearts 9
Corners
Celtic 6 Hearts 1
Advanced match stats
Shots
Celtic 12 Hearts 7
Shots on target
Celtic 6 Hearts 2
Shots off target
Celtic 5 Hearts 2
Blocked shots
Celtic 1 Hearts 3
Attempts out of box
Celtic 3 Hearts 3
Hit woodwork
Celtic 1 Hearts 0
One-on-one attempts
Celtic 1 Hearts 0
Total offside
Celtic 2 Hearts 0
Total tackles
Celtic 9 Hearts 15
Won tackles
Celtic 8 Hearts 10
Fouls
Celtic 14 Hearts 9
Total yellow cards
Celtic 0 Hearts 1
Total clearances
Celtic 27 Hearts 30
Headed clearances
Celtic 10 Hearts 9
Duels won
Celtic 36 Hearts 39
Total passes
Celtic 785 Hearts 307
Accurate passes
Celtic 715 Hearts 225
Backward passes
Celtic 118 Hearts 55
Forward passes
Celtic 201 Hearts 118
Total long balls
Celtic 36 Hearts 48
Successful final third passes
Celtic 95 Hearts 36
Total crosses
Celtic 15 Hearts 13
Touches
Celtic 963 Hearts 486
Touches in the box
Celtic 28 Hearts 11
Dispossessed
Celtic 8 Hearts 7
Goalkeeper saves
Celtic 2 Hearts 3
Diving saves
Celtic 1 Hearts 1
Saved shots from inside the box
Celtic 2 Hearts 2
Saved shots from outside the box
Celtic 0 Hearts 1
Keeper throws
Celtic 4 Hearts 9
Goal kicks
Celtic 5 Hearts 9
Punches
Celtic 0 Hearts 1
Pre match facts
In all competitions, Celtic have won 13 of their last 15 meetings with Heart of Midlothian, the exceptions being two 2-0 defeats in the league last season (December 2023, March 2024).
Hearts have lost 25 of their last 27 away games at Celtic in all competitions (W1 D1), losing their last two in a row without scoring.
Celtic have lost two of their last four league games (W2), after having only suffered two defeats in their previous 46 in the Scottish Premiership beforehand (W38 D6).
Heart of Midlothian have won seven of their 10 league games in 2025 (D1 L2), with only Celtic and Rangers (both 8) winning more times in the Scottish Premiership this calendar year so far.
Daizen Maeda has scored in each of his last seven league starts for Celtic (9 goals); it’s the longest run of consecutive scoring starts by any player in the Scottish Premiership since Kevin van Veen netted in 11 in a row from March to May 2023, and the longest by a Celtic player since Anthony Stokes scored in seven in succession from April to August 2014.
Articles
Celtic hero has Kyogo record and major honour in sights as bold Hearts dissected
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/celtic-hero-has-kyogo-record-and-major-honour-in-sights-as-bold-hearts-dissected-5057888
Matthew Elder
By Matthew Elder
Deputy Sports Editor
Comments
Published 29th Mar 2025, 20:26 GMT
Maeda at the double as Celtic edge closer to title
Daizen Maeda underlined why Celtic fans are willing him to sign his new contract offer as the champions elect got their title procession back on track with a 3-0 victory over Hearts.
The Japanese winger-turned-striker netted a deadly first-half double, scoring for the sixth match running to take his tally for the campaign to 30 with seven league and potentially two cup matches still remaining. Plenty time then to match or even surprass Kyogo Furuhashi’s season best tally of 34 for the Parkhead side two years ago.
There were serious questions raised when Celtic sold their former top marksman to Rennes in January for £10million but Maeda has ensured this can now be viewed as shrewd business by not only stepping into the void but evolving into the team’s star player and number one goalscorer since being moved into the central striking role.
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda scores the opener in the 3-0 win over Hearts. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda scores the opener in the 3-0 win over Hearts. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group
Maeda was always a key contributor on the wing, in both goals and assists, but he looks born to play through the middle in this Brendan Rodgers team, perhaps even better suited to the role than Kyogo ever was.
The ovation the 27-year-old received as he was substituted in the 71st minute said it all with another approving roar greeting his announcement as man of the match in the closing stages.
Two weeks is a long time to stew on an Old Firm defeat and, initially, the 3-2 reverse to Rangers prior to the international break appeared to be lingering in the Celtic system as Hearts made the better start.
Neil Critchley set his team out in a bold 3-4-1-2 formation that had visiting players swarming into the Celtic half as the hosts struggled to play their way out from the back in the early stages.
Viljami Sinisalo, the back-up Celtic goalkeeper, was making only his second appearance for the club in place of the injured Kasper Schmeichel. His first act was to clutch the ball under his bar from a mishit Lawrence Shankland volley.
His next intervention was crucial as he made a smart save on his line when the net appeared set to bulge after Lewis Neilson had connected with a powerful half-volley from a James Penrice corner.
Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo makes a save from Hearts’ Lewis Neilson. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)
Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo makes a save from Hearts’ Lewis Neilson. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group
The Celtic fans at the front of the Main Stand were getting another soaking – this time from the swirling rain rather than any opposition player spraying water at them. There was little for the Hearts bench to celebrate here.
While their approach was brave, it took Celtic only two passes to slice through them for Maeda’s opener on 17 minutes as Hearts were dissected by the speed and quality of their opponents.
Jeffrey Schlupp found Callum McGregor, who had ghosted into acres of space behind the Hearts press, and the returning captain had time to pick out the killer ball for Maeda to break the offside trap and finish clinically beyond Craig Gordon.
Maeda is now a shoo-in for Player of the Year. Not so long ago it seemed Nicolas Kuhn was the frontrunner, but the German winger hasn’t quite lived up to his spectacular early season form recently. He looked a player struggling for confidence when losing possession with his first three touches of the ball.
Looks can be deceiving though and Kuhn came alive to have a huge hand in Celtic’s next two goals. His ball in behind the Hearts defence for Maeda was majestic and although the header from the bleach-blonde assassin hit the post, Jota was onto the rebound in a flash to slam home for 2-0 with 24 minutes on the clock.
Jota puts Celtic 2-0 ahead against Hearts after Daizen Maeda’s header had struck the post. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)
Jota puts Celtic 2-0 ahead against Hearts after Daizen Maeda’s header had struck the post. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group
Undeterred by the scoreline, Hearts continued to commit bodies forward and teenager James Wilson, fresh from his first senior Scotland call-up, should have reduced the deficit when sending a free header wide from six yards from a Penrice cross. This was a harsh lesson for the 18-year-old that you simply cannot miss chances like this at this level.
Given how Hearts had started they would not have envisaged being out of the game by half-time but Maeda’s second four minutes before the break ensured no way back for the visitors.
Great work from Reo Hatate in midfield released Kuhn down the wing and he left Hearts debutant Harry Milne for dead before putting the ball on a plate for the inrushing Maeda to net at the back post.
This was breathtaking football from Celtic – but 3-0 was harsh on Hearts. It became a case of damage control for Neil Critchley after the break as the Jambos boss abandoned his first-half formation, replacing Wilson with midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof, and reverting into a more defensive shape. An uneventful second half was the outcome.
Brendan Rodgers makes Celtic transfer window confession amid Daizen Maeda form as one situation branded a ‘big shame’
Matthew Elder
By Matthew Elder
Deputy Sports Editor
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/brendan-rodgers-makes-transfer-window-confession-amid-daizen-maeda-form-as-one-situation-branded-a-big-shame-for-me-5057849
Comments
Published 29th Mar 2025, 18:28 GMT
Celtic boss hails striker after double against Hearts
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted that the form of Daizen Maeda as a central striker has given him food for thought ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Japanese international took his tally to 30 goals for the season with a first half double as Celtic bounced back from their Old Firm loss to Rangers with a 3-0 win over Hearts.
Maeda has spent most of his Celtic career on the wing but has excelled since moving inside to fill the void left by Kyogo Furuhashi, who was sold for £10million to Rennes in January.
Rodgers admitted that Maeda could now be viewed as a permanent replacement for Furuhashi which could alter his plans to recruit a striker this summer.
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring the opener in the 3-0 win over Hearts. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring the opener in the 3-0 win over Hearts. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group) | SNS Group
“I think he can be,” the Celtic boss replied when asked if he now viewed Maeda as his main striker. “It’s one where, to move him onto the side and take him out of the middle, with all due respect it’s probably easier for us to get a top winger than it is a top striker. He can clearly play the position and I’m so happy that he can.”
Maeda broke the offside trap to expertly finish past Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon in the 17th minute and then tapped home his second from close range four minutes before half-time, either side of setting up Jota for Celtic’s second when his header crashed back off the inside of the post.
“Not bad for someone who’s not supposed to be a goalscorer,” Rodgers quipped. “Wherever he plays he’s so honest to the game. If he’s on the side, he’s pressing, getting in behind and looking to cross, if he’s through the middle he’s penetrating centrally.
“What everyone is seeing now is his finishing quality and the variety in his finishing. If he’s one v one, he finishes. Left foot, right foot, he scored a header against Rangers. He’s got a real good repertoire of finishes.
“I always like to have a presser at the top of the field who has real intestity and for me be brings that, and he brings the goals. We always knew he had the talent to do it.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers during the 3-0 win over Hearts. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers during the 3-0 win over Hearts. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group
Rodgers also provided an update on Greg Taylor, admitting that the left-back is set to leave the club this summer amid a contract impasse that has coincided with him losing his place to Jeffrey Schlupp, who is on loan from Crystal Palace to the end of the season.
“My idea was always to keep Greg and it still is,” he said. “I’ve been in this position so many times and I can read situations.
“It’s probably more likely now that Greg will move on than stay, which is a big shame for me because I love him as a person. And I love his game because it’s suited to how we work.
“It’s not financial but I respect his position because he wants to feel he’ll play every week. Whoever is in next year with Kieran [Tierney] will still play a lot of games but my feeling is that Greg may well move on.
“I know between now and the end of the season he’ll give his all.”
Rodgers was pleased with the performance of back-up goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo – who made an important save while the game was still goalless in only his second appearance for the club as he stepped in to cover for Kasper Schmeichel, who is preparing to go for a scan on his injured shoulder on Monday.
“We don’t believe he’ll need an operation but it’s about how long it takes to repair and heal,” Rodgers said. “We’ll know more on Monday. Obviously we want Kasper back but it’s an opportunity for a young keeper and I’m happy if he has to play.”
Daizen at the double as Celtic get back to winning ways
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/march/29/daizen-at-the-double-as-the-celts-get-back-to-winning-ways/
First Team
By Matthew Campbell
Share
29 Mar 2025, 5:17 pm
Scottish Premiership
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Celtic Park
CELTIC…3
(Maeda 17 & 41, Jota 24)
HEARTS…0
The rainy conditions at Paradise this afternoon couldn’t dampen Celtic’s commanding performance against Hearts which saw the champions win 3-0 thanks to a double from Daizen Maeda and a strike from Jota in the first half.
The visitors started the match well and within the first 10 minutes, Viljami Sinisalo, making his first league start for the club, was called in to action three times, the Finnish stopper producing saves after efforts from Shankland, Kabangu and Neilson to keep the game level.
After dealing with the early pressure from the visitors, the champions started to take control of proceedings and put Hearts on the back foot.
With just under 15 minutes gone, there was some confusion inside Celtic Park as it looked like the referee, Kevin Clancy, had pointed to the penalty spot for a handball offence from a Hearts defender.
But as it turned out, the foul went the way of the visitors and a subsequent VAR review confirmed that the foul should be awarded to the Tynecastle side.
A few minutes later, the atmosphere inside Celtic Park was lifted by the opening goal which came from the unstoppable Daizen Maeda.
Callum McGregor picked up the ball in the middle of the park and, knowing that Maeda’s pace is unmatched anywhere in Scottish football, the captain sent a wonderful pass in behind the Hearts defence for the Japanese forward to run on to.
Maeda, making his 150th Celtic appearance, was typically cool as he reached the ball before the visitors’ defence and slotted it into the bottom corner.
Less than 10 minutes later, the lead was doubled and this time, the finish was provided by the Hoops’ number 7, Jota.
A clever ball over the top of Hearts’ back line from Nicolas Kühn found Maeda, whose header, which left Craig Gordon scrambling, crashed off of the inside of the post and straight in to the path of Jota, who smashed the ball in to the net from close range.
As the Hoops continued to assert their dominance, the game was effectively put beyond Hearts with five minutes left of the half, with Daizen Maeda grabbing his second of the half to make it 3-0.
A determined Reo Hatate made a well-timed challenge on the halfway line, releasing Nicolas Kühn down the right wing with the ball at his feet.
The German winger showed his class as he drifted in to the box and sent the ball to the back post where Maeda tucked his effort away with ease.
71%
Possession
29%
12
Shots
7
6
Shots On Target
2
6
Corners
1
14
Fouls
9
0
0
Cards
1
0
The Hoops almost got off to the perfect start in the second half, as Jota burst down the left wing with the ball, drove in to the box and flashed a shot towards Craig Gordon’s goal, but the former Celtic keeper got down well to make the save.
Ten minutes later, Callum McGregor, who put in an excellent performance until he was subbed in the 65th minute, fired a shot towards the bottom corner from distance, but once again Gordon made the save to keep the score at 3-0.
And whilst the second half had less action in front of goal than the first half, the Hoops were totally dominant throughout the second period, with Hearts finding it difficult to get over the halfway line throughout.
Paulo Bernardo made his return to first-team action, coming off of the bench to replace the Celtic captain.
And the Portuguese midfielder showed his class in a few moments, as he looked to get on the ball and feed the Celtic forward line.
There was also a return for James Forrest who received a warm welcome back from the Celtic faithful. The winger has been recovering from an injury which he sustained in the League Cup final in December.
The champions continued to control the match and saw their 3-0 lead through to full time, securing another three points as they take one more step towards the league title.
Next up for Brendan Rodgers’ men is a trip to Perth to take on St Johnstone next Sunday.
Celtic: Sinisalo, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Nawrocki, Schlupp, Engels, McGregor (Paulo Bernardo 64′), Hatate (McCowan 81′), Kühn (Hyunjun Yang 72′), Maeda (Idah 71′), Jota (Forrest 81′)
Subs: Taylor, Trusty, Idah, Hyunjun Yang, McCowan, Paulo Bernardo, Bain, Forrest, Ralston
Hearts: Gordon, Steinwender, Neilson, Milne, Forrester, Devlin (Spittal 71′), Baningime (Kartum 70′), Penrice, Shankland (Grant 71′), Wilson (Nieuwenhof 45′), Kabangu (Forrest 86′)
Subs: Halkett, Grant, Nieuwenhof, Spittal, Forrest, Dhanda, Kartum, Clark, Drammeh
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c4gm1m1eqq5t#Report
Martin Dowden at Celtic Park
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Celtic reasserted their champions-elect status against Heart of Midlothian, with Daizen Maeda’s double earning him a 30th goal of an incredible campaign as he scored for the eighth Scottish Premiership game in succession.
Brendan Rodgers indicated in the build-up to this fixture that he, and the club, are keen to extend the Japan forward’s contract, which runs until the summer of 2027.
This was yet another reminder of just why.
The in-form forward was involved in Celtic’s three goals and, at present, he looks unstoppable in Scotland.
Hearts came with confidence after suffering just two defeats in their past 14 outings and looking to take a step closer to securing a top-six place.
All eyes were on Viljami Sinisalo, replacing the injured Kasper Schmeichel in the home goal, and he was called into action early as the visitors began on the front foot.
From a corner, the ball fell to Lewis Neilson and the defender’s close-range effort was well dealt with by the Finn making just his second Celtic start.
The home side looked a touch troubled at that stage but swiftly ripped Hearts open to brutally seize the three points.
A swift move led to returning captain Callum McGregor releasing Maeda with an inch-perfect through ball and the latter was lethal, firing beyond goalkeeper Craig Gordon for the opener.
A second arrived soon after when Nicolas Kuhn beautifully released Maeda, his header crashed off the inside of a post and winger Jota surged in from the left to slam home.
Hearts persevered and Jeffrey Schlupp had to be alert to block near goal before James Wilson passed up a glorious chance but headed way wide.
With that, any hopes for the away side were extinguished.
Celtic moved swiftly from back to front, Kuhn outpaced the backline and squared for Maeda to tap home yet another goal in what has become a talismanic season for the Japan international.
The outcome was determined by half-time. Hearts changed shape, but Celtic remained in control and cruised to another decisive victory.
Celtic and Maeda flex attacking muscle
It was far from a great start from Celtic, but if you want a lesson in being clinical then this is a great one.
All three goals in the opening half oozed quality and were executed superbly with Maeda once again decisive.
He has found his shooting boots and then some with 11 goals in his last eight Premiership games. Thirty goals this season is a sensational return and he must be a stick on for every player of the year gong going.
It is no wonder Celtic want to extend his deal, which ends in two years’ time.
A lot of focus had been on Sinisalo in goal with this being just his second Celtic start.
In that early period, when Hearts looked threatening, he looked confident and very comfortable with the ball at his feet. His early save helped Celtic take control.
Hearts’ bravery ruthlessly undone
The opening period of the game was exactly what visiting head coach Neil Critchley would have been looking for. Hearts troubled Celtic, with Elton Kabangu a nuisance and chances created.
Their shape, though, meant they were likely to be exposed at times and so it proved.
McGregor was afforded too much space for the opener and allowed Maeda to escape in behind all to easily.
He got in behind again way too easily for the second and, for the third, the defence looked brutally open after failing to stop Celtic countering at pace.
The game was done at half-time but not for the want of trying.
Hearts remain sixth and still have a Scottish Cup semi-final to contest. Earlier this season, most supporters would have taken that.
Two fixtures at home to Dundee United and at Motherwell will determine which half of the table they finish in.
Given where they have come from this season, they will likely tackle those games with confidence.
What they said
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “The way we played through their press for all three goals was really impressive.
“For the players to come back from the international break and to play with that connection and authority, I was really pleased.
“You see what Daizen [Maeda] gives the team with that relentless appetite to press. When he’s in, you fancy him to score.”
Hearts head coach Neil Critchley: “We know the way that we approach the game is a risk. It’s high risk, high reward.
“But I don’t really ever want us to be the team what we were in the second half. Giving them half of the pitch, I don’t enjoy that.
“I’d much rather see us go for the game and, if sometimes you live by the sword, die by the sword, so be it.”
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