Daizen Maeda continued his goalscoring spree to send Celtic on their way to Hampden with the opening goal in Sunday’s Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter-final victory over Hibernian.
Japan attacker Maeda pounced on a rebound to net from close range in the 39th minute for his 14th goal in 13 matches and 28th for the season.
Substitute Adam Idah sealed a 2-0 victory in second-half stoppage-time as Celtic remained on course for the treble.
Hibs arrived at Parkhead with 7,000 travelling fans and on the back of a 15-match unbeaten run which included a league win over Celtic two weeks earlier.
They had a good chance to take the lead through Kieron Bowie but Kasper Schmeichel made a strong save and it proved the visitors’ only effort on target.
Celtic made a flying start and Hibs goalkeeper Jordan Smith stopped Callum McGregor’s long-range drive before Nectar Triantis headed Jota’s corner off the line.
Hibs weathered the early storm and almost netted out of the blue when Nicky Cadden’s throw-in put Bowie in the clear. Schmeichel stood up well and produced a strong hand to parry the former Fulham forward’s shot at his near post.
The visitors lost Cadden to what looked like a hamstring injury and Maeda had a good chance to score just before his opener when Reo Hatate’s ball over the top sent him clear. Rocky Bushiri’s shoulder charge knocked the striker off balance and his shot went off target.
The goal came from Jeffrey Schlupp’s low cross. Smith made a one-handed stop from Nicolas Kuhn’s first-time strike and Maeda reached the rebound before the ball touched the ground to volley home from close range.
Hatate soon had a 25-yard strike tipped over as Celtic ended the half as they had started it.
The noisy away support retained hope while the score remained 1-0 and their team were hanging on.
Smith saved from Jota after a typical run inside from the winger and Jack Iredale nicked the ball off Kuhn’s feet as the German ran in on goal.
Maeda slid in to meet Alistair Johnston’s low cross but put the ball wide from close range and Schlupp shot just past the upright from 20 yards.
Hibernian’s efforts to force extra-time were not helped by Chris Cadden pulling up with a muscle strain late on. With five substitutes already on, the former Motherwell player struggled on.
Yang Hyun-jun sliced wide from a good chance shortly before Idah slotted home from fellow substitute Luke McCowan’s cutback.
There was still time for Smith to make saves from McCowan and Maeda.
[(Strasbourg) Strength]: 1. RC Strasbourg Alsace started with a 1-0 away win over FC Metz in the last Ligue 1 game. Facing FC Nantes in this game, they are motivated to take 3 points.2. RC Strasbourg Alsace were unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws in the last 4 games, showing fit form. They secured a 0-0 draw with Brondby IF in the last Conference League match.3. RC Strasbourg Alsace recorded 2 wins,...
[(Juventus FC) Strength]: 1. Juventus FC are undoubtedly motivated to start the new season with a home win in this game.2. Jonathan David scored first in the last warm-up match against Atalanta BC, helping the team secure a win.3. In the last two warm-up games, Juventus FC beat strong Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta BC, showing outstanding form.4. Juventus FC were unbeaten with 4 wins and 1 draw in...
[(AFC Ajax) Strength]: 1. AFC Ajax drew 2-2 with Go Ahead Eagles away from home in the last league match. They have achieved an unbeaten record of one win and one draw in two league games of the new season, maintaining a stable form.2. AFC Ajax's attack has maintained their excellent pre-season form, scoring 11 goals in the last 5 matches, with an average of over 2 goals per game.3. AFC Ajax's hom...
[(Atalanta BC) Strength]: 1. This match is the first round of the new Serie A season. Atalanta BC, playing at home, will strive for a win to get off to a good start, and their fighting spirit is beyond doubt.2. In a recent friendly match against Juventus FC, Lazar Samardzic scored a goal, demonstrating an excellent form.3. Atalanta BC have scored a total of 8 goals and conceded 11 ones in their la...
[(Udinese Calcio) Strength]: 1. Arthur Atta scored the opening goal for the team in the recent Coppa Italia match. He officially joined the club during the offseason, with Udinese Calcio spending 8 million euros to secure his services.2. Udinese Calcio won 2-0 over Carrarese Calcio 1908 in the first Coppa Italia match, welcoming the new season with good performances.3. Udinese Calcio scored 2 goal...
[(Villarreal) Strength]: 1. Villarreal started the new season with an away victory in the opening round, currently sitting near the top of the league table with 3 points. After finishing 5th in La Liga last season and securing a spot in European football, the Yellow Submarine aim to maintain their strong form this campaign. Playing at home in the Estadio de la Ceramica against Girona, the team are...
[(IK Sirius) Strength]: 1. IK Sirius have recently achieved three consecutive victories in all competitions and are in good form. In the last Svenska Cupen match, they defeated Pitea IF 5-0 and advanced to the group stage.[(IK Sirius) Weakness]: 1. IK Sirius currently ranked 12th in the league table. Facing 2nd-placed Hammarby, IK Sirius, who have been performing poorly, have little chance of winn...
[(Osasuna) Strength]: 1. Osasuna lost in the first round of the league and suffered a poor start. This time playing at home, Osasuna will strive for a win to boost morale and are highly motivated.2. Osasuna are strong at home, winning all of their previous four home games.[(Osasuna) Neutral]: 1. Osasuna have scored 6 goals and conceded 8 ones in their last 5 matches. The team's offensive performan...
[(Cagliari) Strength]: 1. Cagliari finished 15th in Serie A last season, taking 36 points, narrowly avoiding relegation by a 5-point lead. In the first home match of the new season, they will face powerhouses ACF Fiorentina. The team are motivated to take home advantage to start with a win.[(Cagliari) Weakness]: 1. Cagliari captain Leonardo Pavoletti will miss the first Serie A round due to his kn...
[(FC Lorient) Strength]: 1. FC Lorient returned to Ligue 1 this season as the champions of France Ligue 2, but lost their first game away from home. This time, they will strive to secure their first win of the season at home, and their desire to win is beyond doubt.2. FC Lorient have performed very strongly at home. Last season, in 17 home games in France Ligue 2, they achieved an impressive recor...
- 1 Ruben Amorim gives cryptic response when asked about Andre Onana returning to starting XI for Fulham clash after Altay Bayindir blunder handed Arsenal victory
- 2 'Victory Bodes Well for Future' – Gasperini Delighted with Roma’s Opening Day Win
- 3 TIPS - Eintracht Frankfurt VS Werder Bremen
- 4 Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal could turn to Lyon's Fofana
- 5 TIPS - Cerezo Osaka VS Vissel Kobe
- 6 TIPS - Gamba Osaka VS Yokohama FC
- 7 TIPS - Schalke 04 VS VfL Bochum
- 8 TIPS - Olympique de Marseille VS Paris FC
- 9 TIPS - Yokohama F. Marinos VS FC Machida Zelvia
- 10 TIPS - Hannover 96 VS FC Magdeburg