Scottish League Cup
Sunday, August 18, 2024
Celtic Park

CELTIC... 3
(Maeda 4 & 17, Kuhn 56)

HIBERNIAN... 1
(Kukharevych 35)

Celtic are through to the quarter-final of the Scottish League Cup after they cruised by Hibernian with a 3-1 victory at Celtic Park this afternoon.

The Celts started quickly last week at Easter Road, and it was more of the same today, with Daizen Maeda scoring within the first four minutes.

Some nice link-up play between Nicolas Kuhn and Reo Hatate put Celtic in to a dangerous position. Hatate found Maeda in the box and the Japanese forward lifted it over the keeper to open the scoring.

Maeda, making his first start of the season, looked like he was in the mood from the first whistle, almost grabbing his second of the match 10 minutes after his opener. This time, he couldn’t get his shot away after Matt O’Riley’s nice touch to set him up.

But his second goal came with 17 minutes on the clock. Nicolas Kuhn picked him out with a brilliant, lofted pass in to the box, and although he was challenged in the penalty area, he managed to get a touch on the ball to divert it in to the net and double Celtic's advantage.

The Hoops were in full control of the match and seemed to be breaking in to the Hibernian penalty area at will, but they were unable to find a third goal with their opportunities.

Hibs gave themselves a lifeline in the 35th minute when Kukharevych headed beyond Kasper Schmeichel after the ball was swung in to the box from a free-kick.

A few moments later, James Forrest appeared to be fouled in the box which prompted a massive penalty shout from the Celtic support. The incident was reviewed by VAR and it was decided that there was no foul on the Celtic winger.

Celts cruise past Hibs and book their League Cup quarter-final place