Celtic secure domestic double as Maeda’s final act seals Scottish Cup victory
Manager Martin O’Neill hails performance as “Larssonesque” amid uncertainty over his own future and that of the club’s key striker.
Celtic have completed the Scottish domestic double after defeating Dunfermline 3-1 in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden. The victory cements the club’s league and cup success for the season, with the match defined by an opening goal from Daizen Maeda that manager Martin O’Neill described as “Larssonesque.”
Maeda, a Japanese international, netted his 17th goal of the season with a lobbed finish over a stranded goalkeeper. The strike marked a culmination of a recent surge in form, ending a 17-game scoring drought with nine goals in his last seven matches. His performance against opponents including Falkirk, Hibs, Rangers, Motherwell, and Hearts has been characterised by high efficiency, with the club’s manager noting the credibility required to compare any player to club legend Henrik Larsson.
Indications suggest Maeda will leave the club this summer, having joined on loan from Yokohama Marinos in January 2022. The Japanese international had previously sought a transfer to Wolfsburg in Germany, but Celtic blocked the move due to a failure to secure new reinforcements. Despite the broken promise of departure, Maeda remained a central character in Celtic’s title run-in, providing energy and goal involvements that helped offset recruitment challenges following the departure of Kyogo Furuhashi.
The match also served as a focal point for fan sentiment regarding manager Martin O’Neill. Celtic supporters serenaded O’Neill during the celebrations, reflecting uncertainty over whether this was his final game in charge. The club has navigated a turbulent period, transitioning from the exit of Brendan Rodgers and the tenure of Wilfried Nancy to O’Neill’s leadership, which fans have embraced as a stabilising force.
Maeda’s tenure at the club has been statistically significant, with 45 goal involvements in 54 appearances during his fourth season. His arrival was initially facilitated by a £1.3m obligation to buy, a deal praised by former manager Ange Postecoglou. As the season concludes, Maeda’s impact is viewed as a redemption arc, transforming from a player in his final games without scoring to a decisive figure in a double-clinching campaign.
