Deadly Daizen hitting form at exactly the right time

That well known and catchy tune to the sound of tequila, in honour of Daizen Maeda was heard loud and clear once again yesterday afternoon, as it rang around Celtic Park on more than one occasion…

Daizen Maeda of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammate Alistair Johnston during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)

And for good reason, as he was the star of the show, and the major catalyst in Celtic 3-1 win over Falkirk.

The Japanese forward was quite rightly awarded the Player of the Match award due to his major input in the vital win over the Bairns. The stats don’t lie, and they will highlight his value contribution, registering two goals and an assist, but his overall all round game was absolutely fantastic on the night, arguably his best of the campaign.

🎙️ “Finding form at the right time, maybe!”

Celtic have a third goal, and it’s Daizen Maeda again ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/74Nkv0D2HU

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) April 25, 2026

To be frank Daizen hasn’t been himself this season, although you could say the same about the overwhelming majority of the squad, but Daizen’s mind seemed to have been elsewhere, most likely due to the club going against their word and not letting him move on to Bundesliga side Wolfsburg last summer on transfer deadline day, after he had cleared his locker at Lennoxtown and said his goodbyes to his teammates.

Daizen Maeda celebrates during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)

He’s still put in some strong performances, but nothing on the scale of the display from last night when he was firing on all cylinders for the entire 90 plus minutes in a sun drenched Celtic Park.

The Daizen of old was back and it was a joy to behold. He was harassing defenders and goalkeepers with his non-stop pressing, and it paid off as he took advantage of some careless defending to open the scoring, just as he did last week in the Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren.

Daizen Maeda celebrates Celtic's opening goal 🟢 pic.twitter.com/wadN2Gwavs

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) April 25, 2026

He ran himself into the ground, and was a constant menace in the forward area, as the super confident and energetic Daizen we all know and love, remerged and just at the right time. He took both his goals well, and his hard work and determination created Kieran Tierney’s stunning strike, he even had the confidence to try an acrobatic overhead kick that just went inches wide.

The Daizen we all know and love looks to be fully back, and he is hitting top form at exactly the right time. Five wins to go Daizen, we’ll leave it up to you!

Just an Ordinary Bhoy