Daizen Maeda has called on Celtic to “go all in” in their pursuit of the title after scoring twice in Saturday night’s 3–1 win over Falkirk…Daizen Maeda misses (but it’s offside) during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)
The Japanese forward – hitting form at a decisive stage of the season – was named man of the match following an influential display at the weekend against John McGlynn’s side.
Maeda opened the scoring in the first half after winning the ball from Keelan Adams, before setting up Kieran Tierney to double the advantage.
Falkirk briefly threatened a comeback when Kyrell Wilson found the net with a spectacular strike, but Maeda responded by grabbing his second goal to restore Celtic’s cushion after some impressive wide play from Sebastian Tounekti.
Daizen Maeda celebrates during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)
On Sunday morning, he followed up his performance with a short message on social media, issuing a rallying call for his team to go all out in the title race with only four matches remaining.
Maeda said via X: “Five games to go. All in for the title.”
Maeda’s recent form has seen him directly involved in five goals across his last two outings for Celtic.
Daizen Maeda of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammate Alistair Johnston during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)
The man from Japan also made a telling impact in last weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final, contributing a goal and an assist as the Hoops recorded an emphatic 6–2 win over St Mirren.
Speaking via Celtic TV post-match about Maeda’s performance, Martin O’Neill said: “Terrific, really. Last week he gets a goal from nothing as well too, just closing down.”
“But his closing down is amazing really, even in the 85th minute here he closes somebody down right in the corner, about 15 yards from the corner and that’s in the 85th minute.”
“His goals, I thought he was brilliant. And I was pleased the one that he missed was actually offside. Otherwise it would have killed him!”
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