Celtic edged Falkirk 3‑1 at Celtic Park, with Daizen Maeda netting a brace that broke his 13‑game league drought. The Japanese forward opened the scoring by intercepting Keelan Adams and firing past Nicky Hogarth, then finished a Sebastian Tounekti cross for his second. His effort accounted for a game‑high five shots, three on target and 0.75 xG, securing three points.

Manager Ange Postecoglou lauded Maeda, saying the striker’s resurgence arrives as Celtic chase a Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline and battle Hearts and Rangers on goal difference after a 33 goals haul last campaign. O’Neill noted the forward’s energy and pressing disrupted Falkirk’s rhythm, turning a potential comeback into a comfortable lead, ahead of Sunday’s fixtures. The win narrows the gap in a three‑horse sprint for the league crown.

With Maeda’s return to form, Celtic possess a sharper edge for the run‑in, but the squad must sustain pressure against rivals’ superior goal differences. A continued scoring surge could tip the balance in a season where the title has been decided by fine margins. Maeda’s brace now sits as a vital catalyst in Celtic’s push for silverware as the season draws to its climax.