GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 25: Daizen Maeda of Celtic celebrates scoring his team's third goal with teammate Alistair Johnston during the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)
Chris Sutton was mildly enthusiastic about Celtic following the 3-1 win over Falkirk.
After the last home match, a laboured 1-0 win over St Mirren a fortnight ago Sutton had virtually written off Celtic’s hopes of retaining the title.
In Thursday’s Daily Record the former hoops striker tipped Celtic to win just one of their post split fixtures, alongside two draws and two defeats.
Falkirk at home was to be the only victory, today the hoops duly delivered.
Now they can look forward to the next instalment- away to Hibs next Sunday.
Important 3 points for Celtic. Daizen Maeda may just be finding his form at the right time??Looked to be at his physical best and the sight of Alastair Johnston back on the pitch a huge boost for the final push…
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) April 25, 2026
With two goals today and another Man of the Match performance Daizen Maeda might just be discovering scoring form at a vital stage of the season.
The first, the opener on the half hour was another example of perseverance paying off.
SUTTON IN PRAISE OF MAEDA
Maeda forced Keelan Adams into a rushed clearance, seconds later the striker was planting a 30 yard shot beyond Nicky Hogarth into the net.
Kieran Tierney extended Celtic’s lead with a brilliant strike before half time to the delight of a lively early evening crowd.
At that stage Celtic could have been looking at making some in-roads on the goal difference deficit.
In the 70th minute the match was back in the balance following a brilliant strike from Falkirk substitute Kyrell Wilson.
For 13 minutes the match could have gone either way before a sharp Celtic move restored the two goal cushion.
Substitutes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sebastian Tounekti combined well on the right. The ball into the box was met by Maeda who steered his shot into the net from 15 yards out.
Celtic saw out the remainder of the game without any real scares despite a few Falkirk corners.
Now the hoops can sit back tomorrow and watch how the two other title contenders get on.
