Celtic secured their place in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals with a convincing 3-1 victory over Hibernian, marking their second win over the Edinburgh side in a week. The Premiership champions showcased their dominance early on, with Japan international Daizen Maeda leading the charge, scoring two quick goals to put Celtic firmly in control. Despite a spirited fightback from Hibernian, including a superb header from Mykola Kuharevich, Celtic’s superiority was evident, and a critical error from Marvin Ekpiteta sealed the result for the Glasgow giants.
Maeda’s Early Brilliance
Celtic wasted no time in asserting their dominance at Celtic Park, with Daizen Maeda opening the scoring just three minutes into the match. The Japanese forward capitalized on a well-worked move, slotting the ball past Hibernian goalkeeper David Marshall with composure. This early goal set the tone for the match, as Celtic played with confidence and fluidity, dictating the tempo from the outset.
Barely 13 minutes later, Maeda doubled Celtic’s lead, further highlighting his sharpness in front of goal. The forward showed great awareness and positioning to meet a cross and guide the ball into the net, leaving Hibernian shell-shocked and trailing by two goals within the first quarter of an hour. Maeda’s movement and clinical finishing were on full display, underlining why he is a key player for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Celtic’s First-Half Dominance
Celtic continued to apply pressure throughout the first half, with Maeda coming close to completing his hat-trick on three separate occasions. The relentless attacking waves from Celtic left Hibernian struggling to cope, and it seemed only a matter of time before they would add to their tally.
However, despite their dominance, Celtic were unable to extend their lead before the break. Maeda’s near misses and a series of important saves from Marshall kept Hibernian within touching distance, offering them a glimmer of hope heading into the second half.
Hibernian’s Response and Kuharevich’s Moment of Quality
Hibernian, to their credit, refused to roll over and began to find their footing as the first half progressed. The introduction of Martin Boyle brought more energy to their attack, and it was Boyle who provided the assist for Hibernian’s lifeline just before halftime. His pinpoint free-kick found Mykola Kuharevich, who produced a stunning diving header to beat Joe Hart and pull a goal back for the visitors.
Kuharevich’s header shifted the momentum in Hibernian’s favor, and they carried that newfound belief into the second half. David Gray’s side showed increased urgency and began to test Celtic’s defense with more frequency, putting the home side under pressure for the first time in the match.
Ekpiteta’s Costly Error
Just as Hibernian looked to be gaining the upper hand, a moment of calamity from Marvin Ekpiteta undid all their hard work. The defender’s miscommunication with Marshall led to a disastrous own goal, restoring Celtic’s two-goal cushion and effectively ending any hopes of a Hibernian comeback.
The error was a cruel blow for Hibernian, who had shown great character to get back into the game. Ekpiteta’s mistake was a stark reminder of the fine margins in football, as it allowed Celtic to regain control and see out the match comfortably.
Celtic’s Path Ahead
With the win, Celtic advanced to the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals, where they will face second-tier Falkirk. The tie presents an opportunity for Celtic to continue their strong cup run and potentially add more silverware to their collection under Postecoglou.
The victory over Hibernian also reinforced Celtic’s strength in depth, with key players like Maeda stepping up when needed. The Japanese forward’s performance will have pleased Postecoglou, who will be looking to maintain his side’s momentum as they compete on multiple fronts this season.
Also Read:
- SBOTOP: Ivan Toney in Talks with Al-Ahli Amidst Transfer Speculation, Manchester United Not Interested
- SBOTOP: Real Madrid’s LaLiga Title Defence Starts with Disappointing 1-1 Draw at Mallorca
- SBOTOP Sterling’s Omission Sparks Controversy: Chelsea Star Questions Role Ahead of Man City Clash
