Daizen Maeda’s overhead kick against Rangers was already one of those moments Celtic supporters were never going to forget. But the BBC Sportsound commentary somehow made it feel even bigger.
Television showed the finish from the Celtic striker from every angle. Radio painted the picture that actually captured the emotion around it.
The overhead kick itself was outrageous but it seems Martin O’Neill’s celebration matched as BBC commentator Liam McLeod spotted what the Celtic manager did when the ball hit the back of the net.
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BBC commentary captured the emotion television could not
McLeod was amazed when he was speaking about the goal and said, “Chermiti got one in this fixture the last time they met in the league at Ibrox.
“Daizen Maeda’s one there, that one’s just superseded it. And it was spectacular. And it just had a 74-year-old Martin O’Neill haring down the touchline in front of us in celebration.”
That line immediately told supporters this was more than just a brilliant goal in a 3-1 Glasgow Derby victory. It was a moment that visibly moved one of the biggest figures in modern Celtic history.
But the image of Martin O’Neill sprinting down the touchline added another layer entirely. That is what the BBC commentary understood in real time.
Supporters know exactly what O’Neill represents at Celtic. He delivered trophies, unforgettable derby victories and the run to Seville.
Seeing him react like that told everyone inside Celtic Park they had witnessed something genuinely special.
Maeda keeps producing in the biggest moments
Maeda did not just score one wonder goal against Rangers. He scored twice and completely changed the game.
The Japanese forward has now produced 12 league goals and six assists this season, but his impact in massive matches is what separates him from so many others.
O’Neill later described the strike as “out of this world”, while comparisons to iconic Henrik Larsson derby moments quickly followed.
That may sound dramatic at first. Then you hear the BBC commentary again and realise it probably is not dramatic at all.
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