GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 10: Daizen Maeda of Celtic scores his team's third goal via bicycle kick during the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on May 10, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The worst part of VAR is the ‘wait’ moment it has introduced to goal celebrations.
Yesterday Daizen Maeda showed he can fix even that.
‘Wait’ moments are hurting football. You want to celebrate, yet you need to ‘wait’ – because what if it’s not given? Celtic scored three brilliant goals against the Ibrox side; well worked, great movement and passing with finishing to match.
But the first and second goals had a ‘wait’ moment.
The initial moments were perfect. For both, the team showed attacking intent and fashioned space which led to a clear finish.
Yang and Maeda’s finishes – for goal one and two – were emphatic. They celebrated. So did the fans.
And yet soon comes the ‘wait’. Supporters have a certain worry that their cheers will be premature.
Fortunately, there was another brief roar when the goal was confirmed.
But no-one likes celebrating that way. When the ball hits the back of the net, you want to lose yourself in the moment.
Fans want to jump, bump, scream, cheer and generally work themselves up into a state of ecstacy. VAR often has other ideas.
Celtic’s first two goals had this experience. There is a VAR check. Even if you’re sure it will be given, some uncertainty remains.
So, what’s the best remedy? Simple, it’s a moment of unambiguous Daizen Maeda brilliance.
About 12 yards out, the ball fell to him awkwardly. It’s bouncing and hard to know what to do.
The obvious choice is to try to control it. Thereafter, shoot? Pass it? Turn and and have a go?
But there was another choice.
As we all know, Celtic’s Japanese star let the ball reach the perfect height. And then he unleashed an iconic moment, one that will be celebrated decades from now.
As others have said, this is a new generation of fans’ ‘Henrik 6-2 chip’ moment, something to remember long into the future.
He leaned back, forced out his leg and struck the ball. At that moment, only God himself knew the outcome. Personally, I worried for those sitting in row Z!
Fans held their breath. The ball soared into the air and seemed to take an eternity to decide on its destination.
Then came bedlam. This wasn’t just a brilliant goal, it was something that would not be chopped off. It was safe to cheer; VAR be damned.
And of course, it was the final defining act. The club from Ibrox looked destroyed by this finish, and full-time might as well have been called then.
Three cup finals remain – copyright Danny Rohl for league game, but he hasn’t reached an actual final. Can Celtic do it? Absolutely, and so the most unlikely of doubles remains a real possibility.
And it needs to be. As has been shown this season in different games against the Light Blues, iconic goals can be forgotten if the final outcome isn’t what is hoped for.
Maeda’s entire time at Celtic deserves a conclusion befitting his overall impact.
Yesterday was the perfect image to define this. That goal deserves to be the emphasis point on the comeback and if we’re in the closing stages of his time at the club, what a way this was to sign off, with a massive moment of genuine quality.
Over to Celtic now for the two trophies that would ensure that it does not become a footnote on an otherwise dreary campaign.
It deserves to be so much more.
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Matthew Marr is a Celtic historian from Glasgow. He is the author of one book and runs the Celtic History Tours. He posts on X at @hailhailhistory
I don’t mind VAR – In fact I’m ALL FOR IT if it does it’s Jon honestly as it did on Sunday !!!
10 maybe 20 times I’ve watched it but the best in my opinion is the Celtic match day 10 min clip on YouTube today.
I noticed when the ball leaves his boot and flys up in the air looking as if it’s going over the bar you hear the crowd issue a collective “aww” like we do with any miss when we want a goal. Then there’s a moment of silence before utter pandemonium breaks out.
They then show you a zoomed out view of the goal which is the best yet and just a moment after it hits the net, hilariously Sinisalo belts from one end to the other to go wild.
A classic goal, thank you Diazen.
Ps. Although it wasn’t a hunskelper Kyogos chip in the cup final against Hibs was amazing as was Jotas chip and cleched fist against sevco to.
I was so sure it was just going over watxhing it but it defied gravity, thats how magical it was. Tbh i felt tears well up another magical thing. Goodness me just when you thing you seen it all ey
Because of Var, I have never cheered or celebrated a Celtic goal as so many have been chalked off until I have known the other team has recentered the ball. Off course Var should be cancelled, it has certainly ruined my football enjoyment.