GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 29: Celtic's Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring to make it 1-0 during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park, on March 29, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Some Celtic fans have enjoyed a very profitable midweek thanks to the horses.
On the football pitch there has been little to cheer about lately through a worrying run of 0-0 draws but on the racecourse Celtic seem to have no difficulty in delivering.
At Cork and Ayr race-courses horses called Nakamura and Daizen were first past the post with more than a few Celtic fans doubling up in honour of the Japanese influence at Celtic Park over the last 20 years.
Nakamura was first to go coming home at friendly odds of 9/2 in the 2.15 race at Cork.
Across the road from Scott Brown’s Ayr United it was Daizen that was first past the post, coming it at around 10/1 in front of seven other horses.
M8’s Son ?? pic.twitter.com/wDbeqnPt2V
— Mk2 BIG MAVERICK? (@Mk2Maverick) September 30, 2025
It says much about the power of football and Celtic in particular that horses are named after star players, especially Nakamura who left the hoops back in 2009.
Numerous memories were created during four years lighting up Scottish football with the highlight probably being a Champions League winner against Manchester United.
There was also a fantastic free kick at Old Trafford a few weeks earlier as well as a stunning drive past Allan McGregor on the night that a late, late header from Jan Venegoor of Hesselink put Celtic back into the 2007/08 title race.
Maeda’s highlights are all much more recent with James Tavernier the biggest victim of Celtic’s super-fit Japanese forward.
Last season Maeda scored 33 goals in all competitions including four in the Champions League, alas this season he will have to make do with the Europa League with SC Braga the visitors to Celtic Park on Thursday night.
Celtic are favourites to win against Braga but not at the impressive odds that Nakmura and Daizen came through with.
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— Micky Rudd ???? (@ruddy_micky) September 30, 2025
Editor, thanks for that wee reminder, and good on any Tims who were aware of, and backed, our ‘Japanese Bhoys’. Never forget Naka’s TWO free kicks beating Van der Sarr, away and home.
I was in a place called The White House hotel, surrounded by Man U fans and nearly hit the roof as I screamed GO-O-O-A-A-A-A-LL! when Naka scored. It didn’t go down too well but them fukkers won 3-2 THAT night. The 2nd one above I could watch ‘over and over’ and The Holy Goalie’s save. WOW, Celtic, you’ve been a life-long roller-coaster and I hope there’s still much joy and glory to come. HH.