Maeda Magic Helps Celtic Secure Double Under Martin O’Neill, Defeating Dunfermline In Hampden Showpiece | OneFootball

By Callum McFadden at Hampden Park.

Celtic began the match as expected, dominating possession early on, while Dunfermline settled into a compact low block, looking to absorb pressure and break quickly on the counter-attack whenever opportunities arose.

The first chance of the game fell to James Forrest in the sixth minute when the winger connected with a volley from an Arne Engels corner, though his effort was comfortably gathered by Dunfermline goalkeeper Aston Oxborough. Just moments later, however, Neil Lennon’s Pars side should have taken a shock lead. Calum Morrison capitalised on a mix-up between Alistair Johnston and Viljami Sinisalo, poking the ball beyond the exposed Celtic goalkeeper, only for Liam Scales to produce a superb goal-line clearance at the last possible moment.

Martin O’Neill’s side eventually made their pressure count in the 19th minute through a stunning finish from Daizen Maeda. In what could prove to be his final appearance for the club, the Japanese international darted in front of the Dunfermline defence to meet a long pass from Alistair Johnston before delicately looping the ball beyond Oxborough. O’Neill recently described Maeda’s form as “Henrik Larsson-esque,” and this was a finish the legendary Swede himself would have been proud of.

Celtic doubled their advantage before the interval with another moment of quality. Callum McGregor’s clever lay-off found Arne Engels in space, and the Belgian midfielder unleashed a superb strike from 30 yards that flew into the net to give Celtic a commanding halftime lead.

Neil Lennon attempted to change the course of the match at halftime with a triple substitution, introducing Zak Rudden, Chris Kane, and Shea Kearney in a bid to inject fresh energy into his side.

The changes had an immediate impact as Dunfermline emerged for the second half with far greater intensity and purpose. Just five minutes after the restart, substitute Chris Kane headed over from an inviting Andrew Tod delivery, signalling the Pars’ attacking intent.

Kane continued to trouble Celtic’s back line with his physicality and relentless running. Minutes after his headed opportunity, the striker’s determination forced Auston Trusty into a booking after the defender hauled him down during a dangerous Dunfermline counter-attack.

Celtic responded just before the hour mark by introducing Kelechi Iheanacho in an effort to regain control of proceedings. However, Dunfermline continued to threaten. Andrew Tod tested Viljami Sinisalo with a looping cross that drifted towards goal, while Alfons Amade came close moments later with a strike from the edge of the area that flashed narrowly wide of the post.

The holders believed they had put the contest beyond doubt in the 65th minute when Iheanacho found the net, only for the goal to be ruled out after Yang was adjudged to have been offside in the build-up.

It would not take long for Iheanacho to get the goal his performance deserved. In the 73rd minute, the Nigerian forward latched onto a through ball, rounded the helpless Aston Oxborough, and calmly slotted home Celtic’s third goal to finally extinguish any hopes of a Dunfermline comeback.

Both managers made further changes as the game drifted towards its conclusion. Boyhood Celtic fan Josh Cooper – with his first touch of the ball – scored a consolation goal for Neil Lennon’s side with ten minutes to go. However, from there, despite Dunfermline pushing forward in numbers and creating a few more opportunities, Celtic were able to see out the game and secure victory on a sunny afternoon at Hampden Park.

Victory at Hampden secured a domestic double for Martin O’Neill and his Celtic side in a campaign that, at several stages, had appeared to be heading in completely the wrong direction following the breakdown of Brendan Rodgers’ relationship with the club and Wilfried Nancy’s disappointing spell in charge.

Celtic: Sinisalo, Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Tierney (Sarrachi, 85), McGregor, Engels, Nygren (Oxlade-Chamberlain, 74), Yang (Tounekti, 74), Forrest (Iheanacho, 58), Maeda.

Substitutes: Doohan, McCowan, Iheanacho, Osmand, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Tounekti, Sarrachi, Murray, Ralston.

Dunfermline Athletic: Oxborough, J Tod (Kearney, 45), Chilokoa-Mullen, Ngwenya, M Todd, Fraser, Abdulai (Amade, 58), Gilmour, Oakley-Boothe (Kane, 45), A Tod (Cooper, 79), Morrison (Rudden, 45).