Celtic put in a professional display against Hibernian as they advanced to the Quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup.
Daizen Maeda got the game off to the best possible start just three minutes in with a goal following a cut-back from Reo Hatate.
“The Japanese combination!” 🇯🇵
Reo Hatate finds Daizen Maeda who scores @CelticFC‘s opening goal of the game 🍀#PremierSportsCup | @spfl pic.twitter.com/GI6oo2Py4Y
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) August 18, 2024
This highlighted that Maeda can be a valuable option for Celtic up front this season.
Maeda added his second goal on 15 minutes, receiving a superb ball over the Hibernian defence from Nicolas Kuhn, who has continued to impress so far this season.
Fantastic Daizen Maeda finish 👏
The Japan international scores his second of the day to make it 2-0 to @CelticFC 🍀#PremierSportsCup | @spfl pic.twitter.com/sj3xJtbPXm
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) August 18, 2024
Hibernian hit back with a Mykola Kukharevych header from a free kick just before halftime.
However, Celtic were simply not going to be stopped despite Hibs’ fightback.
Nicolas Kuhn ended any chance of a Hibs comeback with a goal in the 56th minute.
After a pass back from Marvin Ekpiteta to Josef Bursik, the Hibernian goalkeeper accidentally deflected the ball off Kuhn and into the net in a calamitous moment for Bursik.
Nicolas Kühn nets @CelticFC‘s third 🍀
The German pressures the goalkeeper into a mistake and is rewarded with a goal 🇩🇪#PremierSportsCup | @spfl pic.twitter.com/gkWDdFvcAJ
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) August 18, 2024
Notable substitutions in the second half included Adam Idah’s second debut after joining permanently on Wednesday; he received an unbelievable reception from the Celtic Park crowd.
Idah’s move to Celtic certainly took longer than expected, but he is undoubtedly already a fan favourite. T
he Hoops faithful have made it clear how glad they are to have him back at the club permanently.
What a reception for Adam Idah 🙌
The Irishman enters the pitch to a standing ovation from the Celtic supporters 🍀#PremierSportsCup pic.twitter.com/N1DCxO9wbQ
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) August 18, 2024
Also returning from injury was Luis Palma, who came on and was unlucky not to score.
The draw for the Quarter-finals will follow shortly on Premier Sports 1.
