Celtic winger Daizen Maeda has taken to social media to apologise for his late red card in Wednesday night’s dramatic 1-0 victory over Young Boys, a result that secured Celtic’s place in the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in 12 years.
In a heartfelt post, Maeda wrote on X: “Thank you for your support. I’m really sorry for causing trouble to the team in such a wonderful atmosphere. I’ll continue to do my best for the team. Congratulations to all the Celtic fans and supporters.”
The Japanese international received his marching orders after a VAR review deemed his late clash with Mohamed Ali Camara worthy of a red card. It was a moment of frustration for Maeda, who lashed out after a tussle, leaving his side to battle the final five minutes with ten men.
While the decision may have brought some anxious moments to an already tense evening at Celtic Park, Brendan Rodgers’ side held on to claim the victory they needed to advance to the next round with a game to spare.
Maeda has been a key player for Celtic throughout this Champions League campaign, with his tireless work rate, attacking contributions, and defensive cover earning widespread praise. His influence has been a major factor in the club’s progression to the playoffs, and Wednesday night’s dismissal does little to overshadow what has been a brilliant season for the Japanese winger so far.
Rodgers is unlikely to hold the incident against Maeda, and Celtic supporters will no doubt recognise his apology, but in equal measure not need it. The fans on social media have already rallied behind him, praising his humility and offering their gratitude for his performances in what has been a historic European run for the club.
With Celtic now guaranteed a spot in the knockout stages, Maeda will have plenty of opportunities to make amends. For now, his apology and the team’s qualification have ensured the night will be remembered as a success, red card or not.
