Celtic defeats Rangers with a spectacular goal from Daizen Maeda.

In an electrifying classic that will be remembered by Scottish football fans, Celtic defeated Rangers 3-1 at Celtic Park, in a match that reignites the battle for the Scottish Premiership title. Daizen Maeda was the standout performer, scoring a spectacular bicycle kick that left the entire crowd in ecstasy, securing a crucial victory for the Hoops that brings them dangerously close to leaders Hearts, now just one point ahead.

The match started at full throttle, with the visitors surprising everyone by scoring first in the 10th minute, thanks to Mikey Moore, after an intense play from Youssef Chermiti caused havoc in the Celtic defense. However, the home side’s response was immediate and effective: Hyun-Jun Yang restored parity with a precise shot following a pinpoint assist from Arne Engels, which was crucial for the equalizer before halftime.

In the second half, Celtic’s dominance intensified, and Maeda stepped up to decide the contest. First, he put the Hoops ahead with a stroke of opportunism, capitalizing on a perfect assist from Kieran Tierney, who had a solid performance on the left flank. But it was Maeda’s second goal that will go down in history: an acrobatic bicycle kick from 15 meters that sent the stadium into a frenzy, a technical masterpiece that left goalkeeper Jack Butland with no chance.

Despite the Rangers’ attempts to respond, their attack proved incapable of creating consistent danger, with the ball hitting the crossbar from a late shot by Bojan Miovski. The defeat carries serious consequences for Danny Rohl’s team, which is now suffering from three consecutive losses, a record not seen since 2000 with Dick Advocaat, confirming that the season for the Gers is practically over, with a third place secured.

On the Celtic side, the victory rekindles the flame of hope. With only two matches left to play, the Hoops are one step away from reclaiming the title, relying solely on themselves to win against Motherwell next Wednesday and subsequently defeat Hearts in the decisive match of the final round.

Martin O’Neill, Celtic’s manager, did not hide his satisfaction in statements to Sky Sports: “We had to turn the result around, and the team showed character and determination. We deserved to win this game, especially for the way we reacted after conceding the initial goal.”

This Old Firm will be remembered as one of the most thrilling in recent years, with Daizen Maeda rising as the standout star of the night, confirming that Celtic is alive and ready to fight until the end for the Scottish title. The battle for the throne of the Scottish Premiership is hotter than ever!

This article first appeared on Apito Final.