GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 28: Scotland Captain Andy Robertson shakes hands with Japan Captain Daizen Maeda during an International Friendly match between Scotland and Japan at Barclays Hampden, on March 28, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Daizen Maeda was given the treatment by the Tartan Army last night at Hampden.
Into his fifth year living and playing in Scotland the Celtic forward was given the armband as Japan played at Hampden for the first time.
Not all but a noticeable section of the home support booed and jeered his every touch.
It will be water off a duck’s back to Maeda who has four SPFL title medals to show for his time in Scotland.
MAEDA- THE MULTIPLE WINNER
He hears more direct abuse at virtually every away ground in Scotland, just like Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate.
Maeda has been a key figure in Celtic’s success since e arrived in Scotland, something that will trouble and upset many Scotland fans.
Last night was a celebration for Scotland reaching the World Cup Finals for the first time this century.
With 48 team taking part, three times as many as competed at the 1974 and 1978 World Cup Finals it is no major achievement.
Twenty European teams will take part, at the 1992 European Championships in Sweden Andy Roxburgh’s side were there with seven others.
A great man once said to me when I was a young boy. I didn’t really understand it until many years later “there are those who support Celtic and those who don’t”. I have no interest in the national team. If they got scudded in every game I would be neither up nor down.
— Schrodinger’s Cat (@trebletrebleye1) March 28, 2026
Showing the form of an ageing team with nothing in the way of strikers Scotland lost 1-0 after being outplayed throughout by Japan.
A similar outcome is expected on Tuesday when Steve Clarke’s squad take on the Ivory Coast in Liverpool.
Nathan Patterson picked up his 23rd cap, six years after his professional debut he has started 23 league matches.
To the surprise of no-one FindLay Curtis came off the bench in the 81st minute to make hhis Scotland debut.
The latest internationalist from Ibrox joining giants like Ian Black, Jamie Murphy, Ryan Jack, Jason Cummings and Connor Barron.
Liam Kelly, Ross McCrorie and John Souttar were also in the Scotland squad but unused last night.
BBC Scotland had Neil McCann and Leeaan Crichton providing expert analysis.
The bigotry runs deep in Scotland and it’s a generational thing that a lot of Scots don’t want to recognise as they believe the pish that Scotland welcomes everyone.
A bigoted wee country
— Garngad Mac (@9Garngad) March 28, 2026
60 yrs a Celtic fan, I am proud of Scotland reaching a World Cup and view it as no less an achievement as any other year we qualified.
The fact there are now more places for more nations from around the world doesn’t diminish it in the slightest, in fact, just like the praise Bodo Glimt receive for what they have done in an expanded CL, it may even be more satisfying that we did it considering the lack of talent we have.
If your Scottish at all, it won’t matter who you support, you’ll be sitting at 2am the same as me in huge anticipation in June, roaring them on.
The greatest bigoted, sectarian, racist wee country in the world!
At least this time the Celtic player wasn’t wearing a Scotland top.
Mind and book early for that first flight home from America it’ll save you a few quid.