Daizen Maeda scored one of many nice Previous Agency objectives as Celtic got here from behind to beat Rangers 3-1 at Celtic Park and transfer to inside some extent of Hearts on the high of the Premiership.
Celtic knew a win would shut the hole on Derek McInnes’s facet after the leaders’ draw with Motherwell on Saturday night, however they didn’t get off to the beginning they wished as Mikey Moore put the guests forward inside the opening 10 minutes.
Nevertheless, Hyun-Jun Yang’s quickfire equaliser obtained the house workforce again on degree phrases earlier than Maeda put his facet in entrance within the second half after which gave Celtic clear daylight with an audacious overhead kick that left Parkhead in disbelief.
The outcome leaves a Premiership title victory in Celtic’s fingers – win their remaining two video games, away to Motherwell on Wednesday after which in opposition to leaders Hearts on the ultimate day, and they’re going to retain their title.
As anticipated, the sport began at a frantic tempo as each side exchanged probabilities early on.
Arne Engels referred to as Jack Butland into motion with a swirling shot from vary which the keeper may solely punch away. On the different finish, Moore fed in Youssef Chermiti, who dragged a very good effort simply large of the far submit.
The guests had began effectively, nevertheless, and obtained the opener after some persistent play from Chermiti, who ran Auston Trusty ragged within the early levels. He charged ahead after Celtic gave away possession earlier than his shot was blocked, with the ball spinning into the trail of the oncoming Moore, who had the objective at his mercy from shut vary.
The guests had been the workforce within the ascendency, with Moore having one other effort cleared off the road earlier than play was pulled again for an earlier foul.
Maeda practically pulled Celtic degree when he received the battle with Emmanuel Fernandez however may solely curl his effort large of the submit. Celtic did not have to attend lengthy for the leveller, nevertheless.
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Celtic managed to climate the early strain from Rangers and located an important equaliser via Yang Hyun-Jun.
Luke McCowan’s brilliantly weighted move discovered the run of Engels within the Rangers field and his cutback was dispatched by Yang. VAR did take a look for a possible offside however the objective stood.
It turned the Maeda present within the second half as Celtic upped the tempo. Kieran Tierney obtained the higher of James Tavernier down Celtic’s left-hand facet to whip a ball into the field, and the Japanese ahead stole in entrance of Fernandez to prod the ball into the web.
Then got here the second that left the stadium in disbelief.
Rangers head coach Danny Rohl and Celtic boss Martin O’Neill look on
Sebastian Tounekti’s cross was solely partially blocked, permitting Maeda to tee the ball up and dispatch an overhead kick into the highest nook from 15 yards that left Butland with no likelihood.
Rangers managed extra of the ball after falling additional behind, nevertheless it was to no avail. The guests seemed toothless in assault, with substitute Bojan Miovski coming closest late on when he hit the bar, however the hosts by no means seemed underneath any actual strain.
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Daizen Maeda scored an unimaginable third Celtic objective as he flicked up a cross earlier than producing an ideal scissor-kick end.
Danny Rohl turns into the primary Rangers supervisor to lose three video games in a row since Dick Advocaat in 2000. Their season is over and a third-placed end is assured.
Nevertheless, for Celtic, they go to Motherwell on Wednesday night basking within the glow of an Previous Agency win, figuring out their title goals are very a lot alive.
