Daizen Maeda on brink of Celtic record smashing as Hibs suffer brutal reality vs trophy mad rivals – 5 talking points

Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah got on the scoresheet to send Brendan Rodgers' men to Hampden

Celtic took another giant step towards the Treble as they wreaked revenge on Hibs for dishing out a shock defeat in Leith 15 days ago.

Dazzling Daizen Maeda took his season tally to 27 with a 39th-minute opener before Adam Idah climbed off the bench to secure the 2-0 victory in injury time. Hibs were confident off the back of a stunning 15-game unbeaten run and were looking for their first Scottish Cup win at Parkhead in 123 years - when they won the 1902 final against the Hoops in the east end of Glasgow. But they were second best for most the afternoon against Brendan Rodgers’ Treble chasers.

Visiting keeper Jordan Smith, fresh from having signed a new three-year deal on Saturday, saved brilliantly from Callum McGregor after just four minutes. At the other end Kasper Schmeichel had to stay big to deny Kieron Bowie after he got in behind the Hoops backline. Hibs had settled and were containing the Hoops well even in spite of losing Nicky Cadden - a huge part of their resurgence - to injury after 34 minutes. But just as they thought they’d get to half time level Celtic struck through that man Maeda.

Schlupp slung a low cross in first time from the left which was dummied by the Japan international allowing Nicolas Kuhn to step in and fire off a shot which Smith did brilliantly to save - only for Maeda to bury the rebound. Smith was at full stretch to deny a Reo Hatate piledriver and ensure the damage wasn’t more severe by the break.

Maeda was an inch away from doubling the lead on the hour mark when he slid in at the back post but could only get the slightest touch on Alistair Johnston’s low cross.The Hoops were needing a second. And it arrived in injury time when Adam Idah - on in the 84th minute - slotted home. It was a combination of three subs as Luke McCowan took a return ball from Hyunjun Yang and cut back for Idah to get in ahead of Rocky Bushiri and slide home from an angle. He's 3 talking points.

He’s Maeda goals

Celtic fans like to celebrate their goal machine Daizen Maeda with a chant to the tune of The Champs’ Tequila. And they were raising a glass to the Japan international again as he struck his 27th goal of a sensational season to break the deadlock here. Maeda now has 13 in his last 13 games to turbocharge the Hoops’ Treble drive. He also now sits just seven goals shy of Kyogo Furuhashi’s best tally for a season when his compatriot hit 34 two years ago.

It was no surprise to see Rodgers go strong - possibly as strong as he could - for this and that meant Maeda through the middle of a forward line containing Jota and Kuhn on the flanks. He’s a different proposition to Adam Idah and might not have the natural goal scoring instincts of the Irishman but Maeda’s pace, movement and incessant work rate is producing the goods on a weekly basis through the middle - so why change it for the big games?

Treble yell

If Celtic were looking for a performance to top up the fuel heading into next weekend’s Old Firm then this wasn’t bad. A seven out of 10 showing from the runaway league leaders with both their central striker on the scoresheet. The Hoops had to be patient but bossed the vast majority of this encounter against the Premiership’s in-form side. It was high tempo stuff early doors with Arne Engels and Callum McGregor dictating the middle ground while Celtic posed serious questions down both flanks. Rodgers’ side deserved their half time lead and continued to dictate after the restart.

Hibs hope

Hibs are now 21 games without a win at Celtic Park. They stuck to their task impressively - but without really causing Celtic too many problems - unlike on their last visit to Parkhead where they passed up chances galore. David Gray’s side worked hard but lacked real quality in the final third. Kieron Bowie was a physical handful for Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty but Gray would have been hoping beside the lightning quick Martin Boyle they could have troubled the home defence more.

They were solid at the other end though. Hibs’ resurgence since the end of November has been built on a switch to a back three and the introduction of Rocky Bushiri and Jack Iredale to that defence. Special mention to Jordan Smith who produced a string of quality saves too - just a day after signing a new three-year deal with the HIbees. Hibs’ energy levels impressed as they refused to buckle even if they failed to seriously trouble Schmeichel after the break - and Nicky Cadden’s exit after 34 minutes was undoubtedly a blow in an attacking sense.

Schlupp to the job

It’s Rangers up next for Celtic and it’s hard to see where Rodgers differs from this starting line-up. The one big question mark could be at left back where tried and trusted Greg Taylor sat out with Jeffrey Schlupp handed the inverted role. Again the former Crystal Palace ace impressed with his powerful surges forward helping Celtic take control of the midfield before he popped up with another key assist for the opener when his first time cross caused all sorts of bother for Hibs.

Away to go

The 7000-strong travelling support was a sure sign of Hibs’ resurgence and added to a sensational cup tie. This was the largest away support at Parkhead in …. And while the stands were obviously still a sea of green and white it was clear this was a big deal for both sets of fans.

The Scottish Cup at its best. While some down south turn their noses up at the FA Cup these days there’s no doubt Scottish football’s showpiece cup competition still holds the magic that has always made it special. Hibs fans played their part in a brilliant occasion. It also whetted the appetite for the next arrival of visiting fans to Parkhead for next weekend’s Old Firm. There might only be 2400 Rangers supporters heading across the city but after two years of away fan lockouts it will feel like so much more for the country’s biggest fixture.