Celtic has surged back into the Scottish Premiership title chase, reducing the gap to leaders Hearts to a single point after a dramatic 3-1 comeback victory over Rangers on Saturday. The crucial win, orchestrated by a standout performance from Daizen Maeda, leaves Celtic needing just a point from their upcoming match against Motherwell to secure a chance at the title when they face Hearts next Sunday.
The pivotal moment came in the second half with Maeda scoring twice, including a spectacular overhead kick, within four minutes. This brace marks his sixth goal in his last four games, a stark contrast to his previous scoring rate in the league. The victory, coupled with Hearts' draw against Motherwell the previous night, sets up a grandstand finish for the championship.
Rangers' Second-Half Collapse
Rangers, who had initially taken the lead through Mikey Moore in the first half, faltered significantly after the interval. The side, managed by Danny Röhl, suffered another notable second-half capitulation, raising questions about his ability to steer the team to success. Despite enjoying periods of attacking threat on the break, Rangers were unable to contain Celtic's resurgence.
Read More: Celtic Beat Rangers 3-1, Title Race Continues
Match Details
Celtic Goals: Yang Hyun-Jun (equaliser), Daizen Maeda (two goals).
Rangers Goal: Mikey Moore.
Title Race Implications
Celtic's win, achieved at Parkhead, places immense pressure on Hearts. Celtic travel to Motherwell on Wednesday, while Hearts are set to host Falkirk. The league leaders, Hearts, dropped vital points with a draw against Motherwell, a result that has directly opened the door for Celtic. The historical head-to-head record between Celtic and Rangers in recent league meetings showed Celtic without a win in their last six encounters. However, this result, along with Rangers' recent away form at Celtic Park – winning two of their last two visits – highlights the unpredictable nature of these fixtures.
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Background
Daizen Maeda's current scoring form has been exceptional. His two goals against Rangers follow a brace he scored against Hearts earlier in the season, marking his 150th appearance for Celtic and highlighting a significant upturn in his goal-scoring output. This recent surge has seen him score as many league goals in his last two appearances as he had in his previous 20. The title race is now poised for a dramatic conclusion, with both Celtic and Hearts fighting for supremacy in the final stages of the season.
