Daizen Maeda produced a magical overhead kick to light up Celtic Park, helping Celtic secure a 3-1 win over Rangers and keep their Scottish Premiership title hopes alive.
The acrobatic strike will be remembered as the spectacular moment that decided this Old Firm clash, but it could also prove decisive in a tightly contested title race. With just two matches remaining, Celtic sit one point behind league leaders Hearts, who drew away to Motherwell. The two sides meet on the final day of the season, making Maeda’s goal potentially season-defining.
The bicycle kick came just three minutes and nine seconds after Maeda had headed Celtic into a 2-1 lead, finishing a cross from Kieran Tierney. If that goal excited the home fans, what followed was even better.
The Japanese forward flicked up a deflected cross and unleashed a stunning overhead effort. At the 56-minute and six-second mark, Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland could only watch as the ball looped into the top-left corner.
Inside the stadium, the sound system blasted “Tequila” by The Champs, and home supporters roared “Maeda” during the chorus. “What a finish,” Celtic captain Callum McGregor told Sky Sports. “You could feel the atmosphere in the stadium. Something special for sure.”
Maeda, however, remained humble. “It was just lucky,” he said.
Two ball boys behind the goal embraced after witnessing the strike. But how did Maeda pull off such a goal? Here is a breakdown of that magical moment.
After taking a 2-1 lead, Celtic kept the pressure on. Winger Sebastian Tounekti dazzled Rangers captain James Tavernier on the left flank, beating him with quick footwork before sending a cross into the box.
Rangers midfielder Connor Barron reached the ball first, but his deflection sent it straight into Maeda’s path. Facing the left touchline, the 28-year-old still had plenty of work to do.
With a delicate touch from his left foot, Maeda controlled the ball as if playing a casual game in the park. As the ball began to drop, he adjusted his body, turned his back to goal, and launched into an acrobatic bicycle kick, making contact with his right foot.
While falling, Maeda sent the ball floating toward the goal. Rangers defender Nasser Djiga, with his hands behind his back, could do little to intervene.
From the angle behind the goal, it appeared the ball might sail over the crossbar. But Maeda, now sitting on the turf, watched as it nestled into the net. He then sprinted off in celebration
