Daizen Maeda bicycle kick sends Celtic to 3-1 Old Firm victory
Daizen Maeda’s stunning bicycle kick capped a second-half surge as Celtic beat Rangers 3-1 in the Old Firm derby, a strike that kept Celtic’s title hopes alive and delighted the Parkhead crowd.
Late first paragraph summary
Daizen Maeda’s bicycle kick came in a frantic second half and proved the defining moment as Celtic defeated Rangers 3-1 at Celtic Park on May 10, 2026. (theguardian.com)
Maeda doubles and produces acrobatic finish
Maeda struck twice in a five-minute spell after the interval, the second of which was an overhead bicycle kick that flew into the top corner and left the Rangers goalkeeper helpless. (thestar.com.my)
The finish was celebrated across Parkhead and immediately circulated on social platforms, with pundits calling it one of the standout derby goals of recent years. (ca.sports.yahoo.com)
Celtic secure 3-1 Old Firm triumph
Celtic’s 3-1 victory over Rangers tightened the closing stages of the Scottish Premiership and injected fresh momentum into their title chase. (thestar.com.my)
The result left Rangers with work to do in the final fixtures while Celtic supporters celebrated a result that underlined the fixture’s capacity for dramatic, season-defining moments. (theguardian.com)
Second-half swing turned the game
Rangers had matched Celtic early and opened the scoring before the interval, but the second half belonged to Celtic as they shifted tempo and pressed higher. (theguardian.com)
Maeda’s two quick goals changed the complexion of the contest and illustrated Celtic’s ability to find decisive moments when the stakes were highest. (thestar.com.my)
Tactical details behind the comeback
Celtic’s adjustments at halftime included more direct service into the box and quicker transitions from wide areas, creating the conditions for Maeda’s reactions inside the penalty area. (theguardian.com)
Those shifts unsettled Rangers’ defensive shape and allowed Celtic to exploit space in central zones, leading to the spectacular finish that ultimately sealed the win. (ca.sports.yahoo.com)
What the result means for the title race
The win keeps Celtic in contention as the league approaches its final stretch, narrowing margins in a race that has become tightly contested. (thestar.com.my)
With only a handful of fixtures remaining, Celtic’s victory adds pressure on rivals and proves the club can still produce match-winning moments under intensity. (theguardian.com)
Reactions from the club and supporters
Celtic supporters responded with rapturous applause and widespread posting of the clip, while manager and players praised Maeda’s instinct and execution after the match. (ca.sports.yahoo.com)
Rangers’ camp acknowledged the quality of the strike and stressed their intent to regroup quickly, pointing to the narrow margins that can decide a derby. (thestar.com.my)
Daizen Maeda’s acrobatic goal will be replayed for years as one of the more spectacular Old Firm moments, and it arrives at a critical juncture for Celtic’s season.
