Daizen Maeda netted his third goal to seal a hat-trick against Livingston.
With David Martindale’s side twice hitting back, Maeda was yet again able to give Celtic the lead for the third time this afternoon.
The Japanese winger’s third goal was arguably the easiest of the three.
The hat-trick hero and potentially the match-winner! 😱
It's been the Daizen Maeda show at Celtic Park today and he has the Bhoys on the verge of the semi-finals 🍀#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/rnAT9dRdj3
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) March 10, 2024
After fellow countryman Tomoki Iwata fizzed a cross into the box, Maeda, from very close range, was able to calmly convert in the 86th minute.
Maeda’s hat-trick is the second of his Celtic career after netting a hat-trick against his former side Yokohama F. Marinos in a 6-4 win during pre-season in the summer.
The Japanese international has been at the heart of everything Celtic did well this afternoon and was a constant threat with his runs in behind the Livingston defence, in particular, standing out all afternoon.
Having only scored four league goals this season, Maeda has disappointed, but with a hat-trick in the Scottish Cup quarter-final, he is beginning to hit form.
