Celtic’s League Cup final hero Daizen Maeda has revealed he miskicked his winning penalty against Rangers, with the winger relieved to see Jack Butland dive the wrong way after he had sclaffed his spot kick.
Maeda has built a career on his boundless energy, but even he was struggling after an epic contest between the Old Firm rivals that went all the way to a penalty shootout. There was no damage done in the end though as his strike wrongfooted Butland and gave Celtic the first trophy of the season.
The Japanese internationalist says the thought of winning the game for their supporters and for his children gave him the extra energy he needed to stagger over the line, and now he has set his sights on delivering a treble.
“I think the celebration from the supporters shows you a lot and we had to win this game, so it was good to get the result,” Maeda said.
“I wasn’t nervous at all. But because I was tired, and it was also a miskick, so it was a great goal. Because of [the mishit] the ball went the opposite side of the goalkeeper. So, it was a very good moment.
“At this club you have to win, you can’t lose or draw. It’s league games, it’s cup games.
“I’m very glad we’ve got the first title this year. Now we’re the only one who has the chance to win the treble, so yes [we can do it].
“But right now we just enjoy the moment – and after we have a rest, and we will try to focus on the next game.”
Maeda has often been seen warming down with his children after matches on the Celtic Park pitch, and he was delighted to put a smile on their faces once again.
“Everything I achieve is for my children, especially my son as he now understands the football and he sees me playing and how I play,” he said.
“I like to make him smile.”
