Daizen Maeda brace helps Celtic to comfortable win over Hearts

Daizen Maeda took his season tally to 30 with a first-half double as Celtic bounced back from derby defeat with a 3-0 win over Hearts.

Maeda netted either side of Jota’s strike as Celtic edged closer to securing their fourth consecutive William Hill Premiership title.

The Japan forward followed in the footsteps of Kyogo Furuhashi, Moussa Dembele, Leigh Griffiths, Kris Commons, Gary Hooper, Scott McDonald, John Hartson and Henrik Larsson in netting 30 goals in a season for Celtic this century.

Maeda has now scored 15 goals in 12 matches after moving into a predominantly central role from his previously regular wide position since Furuhashi left for Rennes in late January.

Manager Brendan Rodgers spoke of his desire to tie the 27-year-old down to a longer contract on the eve of the game and Maeda showed why with another impressive display of speed and finishing prowess.

Maeda, whose deal expires in 2027, opened the scoring in the 17th minute with Celtic’s first chance of note.

Hearts had made a lively start and Viljami Sinisalo made a point-blank stop from Lewis Neilson following a corner as the Finnish goalkeeper made his league debut in place of the injured Kasper Schmeichel.

Much of the early play was in the Celtic half but a penetrating move saw the hosts go from back to front in devastating fashion. Jeffrey Schlupp’s first-time pass allowed Callum McGregor to drive beyond the Hearts midfield and play the ball in behind Neilson for Maeda to run on to. The centre-forward delivered an assured right-footed finish into the bottom corner.

Hearts continued to push men forward and Michael Steinwender fired not far over from 25 yards before Maeda was again involved as Celtic doubled their lead in the 24th minute.

Maeda ran on to Nicolas Kuhn’s deft pass over the top and sent a backwards header off the post before Jota raced in to slam home the rebound.

Schlupp forced a save from Craig Gordon after a solo run before James Wilson missed Hearts’ best chance when he sent a free header wide from six yards following a perfect cross from James Penrice.

Celtic again sliced through Hearts with a series of forward passes as they wrapped up the three points in the 41st minute.

Centre-back Maik Nawrocki started the move and Reo Hatate stretched to send the ball through for Kuhn to race down the right wing. The German winger delivered Maeda’s 30th goal of the season on a plate with a perfect low cross to the far post, where Celtic’s top goalscorer’s pace had taken him.

Jota and Hatate threatened before the break and Hearts head coach Neil Critchley seemingly opted for damage limitation at half-time, removing new Scotland forward Wilson and bringing on defensive midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof.

McGregor forced a diving stop from former team-mate Gordon but the second half was otherwise something of a non-event, although Rodgers got Paulo Bernardo and James Forrest back into action after lay-offs.

He also saw his side bounce back convincingly from their 3-2 defeat by Rangers before the international break.