Celtic

Sportscene pundits Cammy Bell and Michael Stewart laud Daizen Maeda after another scoring performance for Celtic.

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Watch all the highlights from Celtic's 5-2 win at St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership.

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We asked for your views on Celtic's 5-2 win against St Mirren.

Here's what some of you said:

Patrick: Relentless. St Mirren put in a real challenge and maybe deserved more but Celtic managed to find a win once again, and in the end it was a comfortable scoreline. Great to see Yang Hyun-jun grab a couple of goals, still need a bit more from Adam Idah, we know the talent is there but the consistency isn't.

Craig: The squad depth and quality proving to be the reason we're strolling the league. The small bit of business in the January window with Kyogo Furuhashi being sold is almost forgotten with Daizen Maeda on fire and Jota settled right back in. Brendan Rodgers proving why he's such a good coach.

David: St Mirren will feel hard done by with the result. They were terrific, played their hearts out and deserved better than the scoreline. They gave Celtic a go, but Celtic just got better as the game went on. The class of the Celtic squad is just so good. They deserved their five.

Paul: Another invaluable three points secured towards winning the league for a fourth consecutive season. Although St Mirren made it tough for Celtic, missing several opportunities to add to their tally, ultimately Celtic's strength in depth was the overriding difference in the end, and the increasingly improving Yang was worthy of the man of the match award.

Christopher: Celtic haven't been at their best the last two games, yet have still found a way to score 10 goals. This team lost its best striker in January and look like a better team for it? Incredible!

Hugh: It was a hard fought victory and tough on St Mirren as we were far from being at our best. The second-half substitutions made the difference but we never really got out of the starting blocks. We have certainly taken a step forward this season but at the same time too many of our opponents have regressed and this is hindering our progression.

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• Nicolas Kühn has assisted seven goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no player has more.

• Daizen Maeda has scored in his last three games in the Premiership (four goals in total).

• Yang Hyun-Jun has contributed to goals in his last three games in the Premiership (three goals, two assists).

• Daizen Maeda has contributed to goals in his last three games in the Premiership (four goals, 0 assists).

• Celtic have scored in 27 of their 29 games, more often than any other team in the Premiership this season.

• Celtic have scored in each of their last 10 games in the Premiership, scoring 35 goals in that run.

• St. Mirren have scored in their last three games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of four games from 14 December 2024 to 29 December 2024.

• St. Mirren have scored in each of their last three games in the Premiership, scoring five goals in that run.

Celtic are now just three wins away from retaining the Scottish Premiership crown after seeing off St Mirren in a seven-goal classic in Paisley to extend their lead at the top of the table to 16 points.

If Brendan Rodgers' side win their next two league games against second-top Rangers and Heart of Midlothian, they will travel to Perth in the first week of April knowing a win over St Johnstone will wrap up a fourth consecutive title.

They were made to work extremely hard for their victory by a St Mirren side that refused to lie down and twice came back to equalise before a fine late double from from Yang Hyun-jun either side of an excellent goal from Daizen Maeda.

Japan forward Maeda now has 13 goals from his last dozen games, while South Korean winger Yang - whose fine assist set him up - looks a much-improved player, and his two-goal cameo may make it hard for his manager to leave him out of the starting XI.

Celtic fans, did you make the trip to Paisley or were you following the action from home? Either way we want your views on the game. Have your say., external

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "I think it's one of my favourite results of the season coming to St Mirren who have had some really good performances against other teams.

"It's a brilliant three points for us. I think our attacking paly was really strong. We were so good on a difficult surface, the players were technically very strong.

"We need to get the freshness back in our defending We have got a week before the cup game now which gives us a chance to recover that and get the freshness back.

"Yang's [Hyun-jun] girlfriend is here at the moment so he's in a great feeling. I said to her interpreter to try and make sure she stays. He's a young player, he's growing and developing which is why it's about more than just performances and results, it's about the development of young players.

"We have a big cup game next week but what we can do now is reset and build into that cup game. we've put so much work into the season, so much consistency and mentality. We have a lot of work to do but we're in a really good place.

"Callum [McGregor] had felt his calf. He should be fine but we don't want to take any risks with him.

"Auston [Trusty] got a bang in the head and had to get five stitches. He should recover but Liam Scales came in and did really well."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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This was yet another good day at the office for the runaway league leaders, who nearly always find a way to get the job done.

In this case, with some style, as they just got better the longer the match went on.

It is not that often captain Callum McGregor will be taken off. Not a problem for his manager when Brendan Rodgers can replace him with the energy and skill of McCowan.

Jota and Yang Hyun-jun also added significant quality when they came on and made things even more difficult for a tiring St Mirren side who had put so much into the first hour of the match.

Jeffrey Schlupp will be delighted to have scored his first Celtic goal, while Arne Engels' impressive debut season in Scotland has now yielded 10 goals.

The champions-elect now have a full week to prepare for the visit of Hibernian in the Scottish Cup before welcoming Barry Ferguson's Rangers to Celtic Park on 16 March.

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A huge impact off the bench for the Celtic winger - two goals and an assist off the bench.

Fulham and Ipswich Town will step up the chase for Alistair Johnston this summer after the Premier League clubs expressed an interest in the 26-year-old Celtic right-back in the January transfer window. (The Athletic), external

Norwich City are bracing themselves for Borja Sainz offers in the summer transfer window amid Celtic interest in the 24-year-old winger. (Football Insider), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

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Ryan Alebiosu and Jonah Ayunga (ankle) are doubts for St Mirren after coming off against Hearts in midweek.

Alex Iacovitti is back in training but the game comes too soon while Conor McMenamin (calf) and Evan Mooney (ankle) remain out.

Greg Taylor returns for Celtic, who remain without James Forrest (foot) and Paulo Bernardo (ankle).

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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Manager Brendan Rodgers says Celtic are always searching for fine margins and weren't fully content with their performance despite trouncing Aberdeen 5-1 in midweek.

"We've tried to set a standard of performance and I think the scoreline was fantastic," Rodgers said.

"When you come off against one of your big rivals up here and you can win 5-1 and still be not overly pleased with elements of the performance, then it shows you the standard that we demand.

"That's a good thing because you can always improve, even in a 5-1 win."

Celtic face St Mirren on Saturday before a run of home fixtures against Hibernian, Rangers and Hearts that could see them edge closer to a domestic treble.

Rodgers added: "The whole point was to get to this point of the season in the best place we possibly could.

"Now we arrive into a part of the season where we want to finish really strong."

Looking ahead to the test they'll be posed by St Mirren, Rodgers praised "outstanding coach and manager" Stephen Robinson.

"His teams are very clear in how they play, they understand their roles, they make it really difficult for you," he said.

"But I felt the game earlier on in the season, we managed that aspect of it really well. You just have to do all the dirty bits of the game really well, all the stuff that doesn't get a lot of attention."

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media before his side's match with St Mirren on Saturday evening.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• He welcomes the return of away allocations to Old Firm derbies, saying it is "great for the game, great for the spectacle of the game, and obviously ultimately for the supporters".

• Rodgers is keen to see the away supports return to previous levels, far above this new 4% figure, saying: "Hopefully it can get somewhere near to where it was before because that always creates an amazing atmosphere."

• He adds that the issue around away fans "wasn't a Celtic thing" and it "was out of our control at the beginning of it all".

• Rodgers expects to face a "coordinated" St Mirren but takes confidence from Celtic's win in Paisley earlier in the season where they did "all the dirty bits of the game really well".

• Celtic are now at the part of the season where they want to "finish really strong", with Rodgers' side holding a commanding 13-point lead in the Premiership and still competing for a domestic treble.

• Rodgers says the club "haven't heard anything" on the VAR calls from Celtic's defeat by Hibs after Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin had complained about the technology in midweek.

• On Jude Bonnar's debut in the win over Aberdeen, Rodgers says "it's a nice reward" for the 19-year-old and he is "working very, very hard, which I notice".

• On Jeffrey Schlupp, who is on loan until the end of the season, Rodgers says he will speak to the left-back about his contract situation "towards the latter part of the season," and notes he has "settled into the group really well".

• The standards demanded of the players are evident, he says, given that "you can win 5-1 [against Aberdeen] and still be not overly pleased with elements of the performance".

• St Mirren have lost their past seven meetings with Celtic in all competitions, last losing eight in a row against the Parkhead club in December 2012.

• Celtic have only lost one of their last 20 away games at St Mirren across all competitions (W16 D3), going down 2-0 in September 2022 under Ange Postecoglou.

• St Mirren are winless in their past four home league games (D1 L3), last going longer without victory in December 2021 under Jim Goodwin (6).

• After winning 10 successive away league games from April to December 2024, Celtic have since won just two of their past six on the road (D2 L2), losing 2-1 at Hibernian in their most recent away outing.

• Celtic's Daizen Maeda has been directly involved in more goals in the Scottish Premiership this season (18 – 11 goals, 7 assists) than any other player. The Japan international has 13 goal involvements (9 goals, 4 assists) in his last 10 league appearances – as many as his previous 41 beforehand.

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Hibernian have secured an allocation of "up to 7,000 tickets" for their Scottish Cup quarter-final visit to Celtic.

The Easter Road side sold an initial batch of 2,667 for the 9 March tie within five days.

On requesting a bigger share of the match gate during "long discussions", Hibs say they were referred to the Scottish FA handbook, which states "the away club shall be responsible for payment to the home club for all tickets delivered."

A statement confirming the large increase acknowledges the "financial risk" involved and "understanding the demand from our supporters".

Hibs go on to say a general sale will go ahead on a date that is "dependant on when we receive the tickets from Celtic".

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It's not just Celtic fans who can't enough of Daizen Maeda - the Bayern Munich squad think highly of him, too.

The in-form forward will be in the running for plenty of awards come the end of the season having already scored 25 goals.

One of those came in the first leg of the Champions League play-off against German giants Bayern, while he was instrumental in setting up Celtic's goal in the second leg of the agonising last-gasp defeat.

"After we played Bayern I was talking to Eric Dier, just having a general chat about the two games and stuff like that," Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers recalled.

"He said that after the first leg, all the Bayern players were talking about Daizen and how much he runs and the kind of energy he puts into a game. It is incredible.

"He said they got the running stats up in their changing room and everyone was just talking about how much high-speed distance he'd done and stuff like that.

"Physically, in terms of his running power and capacity, I don't know if anyone in the [Celtic] squad could get to that level to be honest."

Maeda, who joined Celtic from Yokohama F Marinos in 2022, keeps a low profile and rarely gives interviews to Scottish media but Carter-Vickers offered an insight.

"Obviously his English has improved since he's been here," he said. "I don't know if he just decides not to talk or what, but he's a funny guy actually, he's quietly funny.

"He's a little bit of a prankster. Just little things, like I say, he doesn't necessarily talk too much, but his mannerisms and stuff like that, he definitely likes a little laugh."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

It's long since been a case of when, not if, Celtic secure yet another Scottish Premiership title.

The gap at the top is currently 16 points. Barry Ferguson could well reduce that in his first game in charge of Rangers. Even if he does, the championship is a done deal.

It will be Celtic's 13th in 14 years. A period of sustained dominance without precedent in the history of the Scottish game.

They are strong favourites to wrap up all three domestic prizes in what would be their sixth treble in nine seasons. It's not particularly healthy for the wider game but that's not Celtic's problem.

Their main concern now, you would think, is timing: How soon can they officially have the green and white ribbons ordered to adorn their favourite prize?

They've already amassed 72 points. With 10 games to go, they could well hit the century mark. They can even afford a draw along the way.

On the evidence of Tuesday night's dismantling of Aberdeen, the portents look pretty good. Celtic were nowhere near their top level against the third-place team and still added five goals to a Premiership tally that has risen to an impressive 82.

Brendan Rodgers' men have only lost twice in the league all season and if the manager can ramp up the intensity levels for one last push, it could all be done and dusted before the top-flight split.

Celtic only have two away fixtures before that point - at St Mirren and St Johnstone - with league games at home in between against Rangers and Hearts. Win all those, and Celtic would welcome Kilmarnock on 12 April for a potential title party. With five games to spare.

This is assuming, of course, that Rangers pile up some points under the interim Ferguson regime. If they don't, it could all be over even sooner, making a rebuild at Rangers all the more pressing if there's to be a more competitive Premiership in the near future.

The problem for everyone at Ibrox, however, is that Celtic continue to operate from a position of strength which shows no sign of weakening any time soon.

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Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

Twenty five goals. Nine assists. An immeasurable work ethic.

Celtic's Daizen Maeda continues to sparkle in the most productive season of his career.

The Japan forward's double in the 5-1 midweek rout of Aberdeen took him to the 25-goal mark and encapsulated his effectiveness.

Starting as the central striker, Maeda settled Celtic's shaky start by reacting quickest to volley in the first-half opener.

Then, having shuttled out to the left wing after Adam Idah's introduction on the hour, Maeda wrapped up the victory with an injury-time second from Alistair Johnston's delivery.

Maeda had the most touches in the opposition box (6) of any player on the pitch, and his three shots on target brought two goals from an xG of 1.31, highlighting the quality of his finishing.

In the Premiership this season he now has 11 goals from 25 outings and boasts a shot accuracy of 46%. He looks a strong favourite to be crowned Scottish football's player of the year.

It's the other side of Maeda's game – the tracking back and relentless pressing – that endears the 27-year-old to team-mates and supporters too.

He contested a match-high 11 duels against the Dons, winning five, and contributed two interceptions.

Brendan Rodgers described Maeda after the game as the "symbol" of his Celtic team - and admitted his impressive form may well bring interest from bigger clubs.

"Yes, I would think he would," said Rodgers. "I think if you're scoring goals like he has, work as hard as he does, then of course that will always bring attention.

"But I also think the team and the structure of the team really promotes his qualities. He's a great symbol for our team and the collective."

Celtic have already lost one Japan talisman, with Kyogo Furuhashi off to embark on a new adventure in Rennes. Might they face a fight to keep Maeda, who is under contract for a further two years, this summer?

Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner says Celtic are not the same team without "vital cog" Maeda at the heart of it.

"He's having a fantastic season," Bonner said on BBC Sportsound.

"He's so important to the team. That trigger of his press ignites the team into doing it. Take him out the team and they lack that piece, because he's so quick - he never stops. He's closing you down all the time and that then runs through the team."

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A trio of milestones were reached on a night Celtic put five goals past Aberdeen.

Captain Callum McGregor's strike was his 50th league goal for the club, 19-year-old midfielder Jude Bonnar came off the bench for a debut, and Alistair Johnston made his 100th Celtic appearance.

Not that the Canada right-back knew much about it until a team-mate filled him in.

"Tony Ralston congratulated me before the game on my 100th appearance but I didn't realise it was," Johnston told Celtic TV.

"To have 100 appearances at a club like this is really special. Around the changing room, there are guys who have so many more than that and it feels like a small number.

"But to me, it's an impressive thing and to me and my family, it's really important and special.

"To have thought a couple years ago that I'd have 100 appearances for a club like Celtic, it's not something that was even in the realm of possibility.

"So to say that I've done that, I'm pretty proud of myself and hopefully I'll kick on and get some more under my belt."

Johnston, 26, marked the occasion by providing the 18th assist of his Celtic career, sending in a fine cross for Daizen Maeda to complete the 5-1 victory.

"He's always pushing in every game, and for him to get an assist in the last minute is crazy," said midfielder Arne Engels.

"He's doing really well and I'm really impressed with him, so I hope he just keeps on going."

We asked for your thoughts on the 5-1 win over Aberdeen that extended Celtic's Premiership lead to 16 points.

Here's what some of you said:

Liam: We are steamrolling towards the title but we didn't even get out of second gear. Aberdeen got in behind four or five times and as usual it was on the left-hand side. However, we are full of goals and Daizen Maeda is flying domestically. We've been better yet win 5 1. Can't be unhappy with that.

Paul: Maeda is a semi-god. Amazing we still have him. Closes down, chases back & a sheer goal machine.Let's hope we invest in more strength as certainly we have the flair. Ange eat your heart out or will he come casting his net after the treble is done?

Clem: Wow, how Celtic managed a 5-1 victory is a mystery. Misplaced passes, slow and predictable build-up, constant square and backward passing. Auston Trusty inspires all the confidence of playing with Bambi in defence, distinct lack of confidence. Arne Engels had one of his best games and thankfully we have a forward line that knows where the goals are.

Mikey: Great performance, from the middle to front, but Brendan Rodgers really needs to think again about his centre-back pairing as Cameron Carter-Vickers is getting let down week in, week out by Trusty. Bring back Liam Scales or give Dane Murray a runout.

Max: 5-1 and we sat in neutral the whole game. It's a very poor result for Aberdeen, who defended poorly, although I think Celtic brought some European learning to the league with the rapid counter-attacking.

Hugh: It is difficult to find fault when you win so convincingly and score five. The last two games proves our eagerness to get forward leaves us exposed and scrambling at the back. With our wing-backs pushing forward one slack or misplaced pass has us chasing our tails. Domestically it's not a real issue but something we need to address for Europe.

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• Celtic have scored in each of their last nine games in the Premiership, scoring 30 goals in that run.

• Aberdeen have conceded 13 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Ross County (16) and Hibernian (15) have conceded more in the Premiership this season.

• Alistair Johnston has assisted seven goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no player has more.

• Daizen Maeda has scored 11 goals in the Premiership this season (two in this game), more than any other Celtic player.

• Aberdeen have scored 12 goals via substitutes in the Premiership this season, only Celtic (17) have scored more.