Scott Brown tells Brendan Rodgers one Celtic star is a ‘delight to watch’ after win over Hibernian

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Brendan Rodgers would have been pleased with Celtic’s latest display as they booked their semi-final ticket for the Scottish Cup on Sunday.

The scoreline read that Celtic beat Hibernian 2-0, but it should have been more comfortable than that because the opposition didn’t cause much threat.

Yes, David Gray’s side, who were unbeaten in 15, toiled and fought until the end before Adam Idah came off the bench and finished things off, but it was a deserved victory.

Daizem Maeda was the man who opened the scoring when he reacted quickest and pounced on a saved Nicolas Kuhn shot in the first half, with Idah’s goal coming in stoppage-time.

All of this pushes Celtic closer to the Treble and one man who knows everything about winning those is Scott Brown.

The legendary midfielder was in attendance at Celtic Park and one player, in particular, caught his eye.

READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers singles out an ‘amazing role model’ as Celtic beat Hibs in the Scottish Cup

Scott Brown says Daizen Maeda is a ‘delight to watch’ after Celtic beat Hibernian

This was typical Maeda and it’s what the Celtic supporters have been used to all season long, as he just continues to go from strength to strength.

Brown shared how ‘lively’ the 27-year-old was for his goal, especially in the penalty box and told Rodgers that he is a ‘delight’ to watch.

The Ayr United manager even highlighted what Maeda did in the 95th minute and how he just doesn’t stop running, as he told Premier Sports (09/03/25 at 5:00 pm).

“He is so lively,” said Brown. “Obita has just come on and lost Kuhn. It’s a great save by Smith and, yet again, Maeda is following up and always on his toes.

“Especially in the box (Maeda must be so difficult to play against). You see the shots in (from Kuhn) and he is the first to react. Any back pass to the goalkeeper, he wants to go and chase it. He is a Duracell Bunny, if I am honest. He just keeps going and going.

“That’s what you want. Brendan wants his team to press. He wants those players to get up there and in your face. He is the best at it.

Brown then added, with Rodgers standing next to him: “The strength and depth of the squad now is fantastic. But what do you feed Maeda? How good is he? You see 95 minutes and he is still going in. He makes those runs in behind.

“He is a delight to watch, if I am honest. His movement for 95 minutes. You can see he is on the shoulder and, as the manager said there, you can’t take your eyes off him. He literally waits for you to turn and he is away.”

Maeda’s stats for Celtic this season

A lot has been made about Celtic’s centre-forward role this season, especially when Kyogo Furuhashi opted to leave in January.

Even with Idah on the books, it’s the man from Japan who has looked far better and performed at a higher standard than anyone else in that centre-forward role.

Either way, this is Maeda’s best season as a professional and the Celtic faithful have been blessed to have witnessed it all, with plenty more to come.