Celtic took a significant step towards Scottish Cup glory with a determined win against Hibernian at Celtic Park this afternoon. Daizen Maeda’s first-half goal and Adam Idah’s stoppage-time strike secured a 2-0 victory, sending the Hoops into the semi-finals.

Maeda Strikes Again

The Japanese forward has been in sensational form this season, and he continued his remarkable campaign with another crucial goal. In the 39th minute, Nicolas Kuhn’s initial shot was saved by Jordan Smith, but Maeda reacted quickest to stab the rebound home. That strike took his tally to 27 goals in all competitions and cemented his place as Celtic’s most potent attacking force.

Celtic Dominate but Struggle to Kill the Game

Brendan Rodgers’ side controlled large spells of the match, creating several opportunities to extend their lead. Reo Hatate, Jeffrey Schlupp, and Daizen Maeda all saw efforts miss the target, while Kuhn and Jota forced saves from Smith. Despite their dominance, Celtic struggled to find the killer second goal, leaving the game finely poised heading into the closing stages.

Hibs Battle but Fall Short

Hibernian put up a determined fight and had moments of promise, particularly through Martin Boyle and Kieron Bowie. Boyle’s long-range effort was blocked, while Bowie tested Kasper Schmeichel with a low drive. However, David Gray’s side lacked the cutting edge needed to truly trouble the Hoops’ defence, with Auston Trusty and Alistair Johnston standing firm at the back.

Late Substitutions Change The Game

Rodgers made changes to see out the game, introducing Yang Hyun-Jun and Luke McCowan for fresh legs. Hibernian also made attacking substitutions, bringing on Junior Hoilett and Élie Youan in an attempt to find an equaliser.

With time ticking down, Adam Idah replaced Nicolas Kühn to add fresh energy to Celtic’s forward line. However, tensions rose in the closing minutes as Jeffrey Schlupp received a yellow card for a challenge on Chris Cadden.

Idah Seals It Late On

As Hibs pushed forward desperately in stoppage time, Celtic capitalised on the space left behind. Luke McCowan showed excellent footwork to reach the byline and cut the ball back for Adam Idah, who swept the ball home from close range in the 92nd minute. The cup holders finally got their second goal, ensuring a comfortable finish and sending the Celtic Park crowd into celebration. Johnston and McCowan combined well in the build-up, and Idah’s composed finish put the result beyond doubt.

One Step Closer to Silverware

With a place at Hampden now secured, Celtic will be eyeing another Scottish Cup triumph. While they would have preferred a more comfortable margin of victory, the result is what matters, and the Hoops march on in their quest for another domestic treble. The focus now shifts back to league action against Rangers at Celtic Park in a week’s time, but this win keeps the dream of a treble firmly alive.