Celtic wrapped up the Portugal leg of their pre-season with a commanding 2-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday night, thanks to goals from Reo Hatate and Luke McCowan.

The Hoops put on a strong second-half performance against the Portuguese giants, finishing their time abroad on a high as they continue to build momentum ahead of the new campaign. Hatate, back in the fold and looking sharp, opened the scoring before summer signing McCowan made his mark with a tidy finish to double the advantage.

There were also standout showings from some of the less-expected names in Brendan Rodgers’ squad. Dane Murray impressed at the back, showing poise and aggression in defence, while Johnny Kenny led the line with real intent. The young striker put himself about, linked play well, and looked every bit a player determined to fight for minutes this season.

But it wasn’t just on the pitch where Celtic fans found reason to smile. A clip has gone viral from the media gantry showing Daizen Maeda, moments after being subbed off, casually dropping to the floor in the technical area to do push-ups — in full view of cameras.

It’s classic Maeda. The Japanese forward is known for his relentless engine and endless work ethic, and this latest display of his fitness fanaticism had fans shaking their heads in amused admiration. For most, being subbed is a cue to rest — for Maeda, it’s apparently time for a bit of extra upper-body work.

Brendan Rodgers will no doubt be pleased with the intensity and attitude his squad showed against a top-level opponent. With just weeks to go before the season kicks off, Celtic look like they’re starting to find rhythm — and characters like Maeda are keeping standards sky high.

🎥 Celtic star Daizen Maeda was spotted doing PRESS-UPS in the technical area after being subbed-off against Sporting Lisbon pic.twitter.com/BhoC9qtBhd

— Scottish Sun Sport (@scotsunsport) July 16, 2025