Pat Bonner and John Collins in agreement about Daizen Maeda as Celtic beat Hibernian

Add as preferred source on Google

Another game and another Daizen Maeda goal in Celtic colours.

The man from Japan can’t be stopped as he netted goal number 27 for the season when Celtic beat Hibernian in the Scottish Cup on Sunday.

Only a few weeks ago, David Gray’s side were downing the champions at Easter Road in the Premiership.

But Celtic got payback in their own back yard, with Maeda opening the scoring in the first half and Adam Idah coming off the bench to seal his side’s passage into the semi-finals.

It was a lively opening from the home team and the lead was deserved, with Maeda reacting quickest when Nicolas Kuhn’s shot was parried and saved by the opposition keeper.

Hibernian, who came into this Scottish Cup quarter-final clash 15 games unbeaten in all competitions, then toiled and fought without really causing major issues.

Before Celtic were rewarded at the end when Idah slotted home Luke McCowan’s low cross and the two subs combined for the victory.

But Pat Bonner and John Collins wanted to give their flowers to one man only and it’s who everybody is talking about.

READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers told Celtic could sell star man ‘like Gareth Bale’ moving to Real Madrid

What was said about ‘electric’ Daizen Maeda as Celtic beat Hibernian in the Scottish Cup

Given Maeda the Player of the Year now because you can’t see anybody beating him to that individual prize.

Pat Bonner lauded Maeda’s ‘incredible’ goalscoring form this season, whether it’s from the left or down the middle.

John Collins agreed and stated that his goal against Hibs ‘summed up his whole season’, as he told BBC Radio Scotland.

On Maeda’s goal, Collins stated: “That just sums up his whole season. He’s electric, off the mark, hungry in and around the six-yard box. I feel sorry for the goalkeeper, it was a great save (from Kuhn).”

Bonner added: “It was a great ball across and then a good save from the goalkeeper. What a reaction from Maeda to be quicker than anybody else in that six-yard box.”

On Maeda’s season: “You can’t (see past Maeda for Player of the Year) with the goals, not recognised as an out-and-out centre-forward and he hasn’t played there all season,” said Bonner.

“But the amount of goals from the left or through the centre now is incredible.”

Maeda’s season in numbers

In every competition you look, it’s Maeda scoring again and again, or being involved in those big moments.

Up until the new year, he was on four goals in the Premiership and now he has 12 in the league, including his seven assists.

With possibly two Scottish Cup games remaining, plus the remainder of the Premiership campaign, then there is every chance he can possibly hit 40 goals. 

But either way, what a memorable season it has been from the man brought in by Ange Postecoglou.