Celtic, Maeda, Hampden, and Leith – After our cyclone, at the end of the storm

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The Celtic Star

·11. März 2025

Celtic, Maeda, Hampden, and Leith – After our cyclone, at the end of the storm

Celtic, Maeda, Hampden, and Leith…at the end of the storm

Jota of Celtic acknowledges the fans after the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter-Final match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park on March 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

It’s official then; Celtic will play St. Johnstone in the Scottish Cup semi-final, theRangers fans cawed that ‘they got a bye again!’ The Queens Park fans just nodded, winked, and laughed.

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Having dispatched Hibernian back to their Sunshine of Leith on Sunday, we watched on agonisingly as the Saints and Livingston contested one of the most mundane matches you are likely to see, this season, or any other.

Misplaced passes outnumbered missed chances which would make a match-fixing exponent blush. Then, Graham Carey dragged the game out of the doldrums when he hit a 35-yard screamer into the roof of the net to send the Perth men into the semi-finals. It was a goal for the ages, and it was ages since we saw anything resembling quality in this fixture! And, that was that.

Celtic fansprior to the Celtic v Hibernian – Scottish Gas Scottish Cup match on March 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

For St. Johnstone and Livingston fans, contesting a major quarter-final tie should be big biccies, but you’d never know it from the ghost-like attendance. I’ve seen bigger crowds at Cathkin Park recently.

At half time, I switched over to watch the West ham v Newcastle match, but later switched back to see how the Scots were faring. I shouldn’t have bothered lifting the remote. It almost made this Lenten penitent head for the beer fridge, almost.

Going from the London Stadium to the Set Fare Arena was like watching Wimbledon versus a couple of guys in a Shettleston backyard playing ‘next goal’s the winner’ in front of their mates. Or, the 80th minute at Ibrox…

Nobody behind either goal, and a sparsely populated main stand. I tried to source the attendance, but it appears there was nobody there to do the counting. And, that pitch. THAT PITCH! Alfred Stoddard must be wringing his hands with glee having made a fast buck out of this reject!

Daizen Maeda of Celtic is seen during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter-Final match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park on March 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Once, on European duty with Celtic, Kenny Dalglish ventured that the pitch was “…just like Wembley. Wembley car park!” This was worse. ‘Back in my day…’ a Scottish Cup quarter-final would have brought the fans out in droves, especially when there was the distinct possibility that their heroes would make Hampden for the semis. Of course, back then they had Henry Hall and John Connolly.

A little later, but still in ‘my day’, Scottish football has become apathetic, and, in my seasoned opinion, needs a complete enema. Clubs running with attendances reaching hundreds rather than thousands should be amalgamated into districts. Highland, Fife, Ayrshire, Govan…

The crowds would increase, and the chance to challenge the big clubs, Celtic, Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs, and theRangers would bring in much-needed revenue. That’s my tuppence worth anyway.

7500 Hibernian fans in Celtic Park as the away allocation is increased due to the cup tie Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Gas Men s Scottish Cup, Quarter Final, Celtic Park, – 09 March2025. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Hibs brought 7,000 supporters to Parkhead for the aforementioned quarter-final, and we all lapped it up. Proper crowds. The Edinburgh greens have had a renaissance of late, and the crowd they brought changed the atmosphere for the better. Fair play to them, I say!

In the absence of the erstwhile Kyogo, the elusive Daizen Maeda did what the Japanese does best; skinning defenders to score. In the words of Carly Simon, ‘Nobody does it better’. Best quote of the week? “Daizen Maeda has finished lent already!”

Adam Idah got himself on the scoreboard too, and a fine finish it was. The Irishman looked delighted, and rightly so. However, we should not overlook the superb Luke McCowan, a man who always turns up. His work-rate, calm vision and speed of thought is wonderful, and the ex-Dundonian can consider himself extremely unlucky to be playing in the time of Callum McGregor, Rio Hatate, and Arne Engels. What an asset he is to Celtic!

Hibernian goalkeeper Jordan Smith saves an attempt at the feet of Luke McCowan of Celtic Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, Quarter Final, Celtic Park, 09 March 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

Sunshine on Leith was not the refrain at the whistle, but it’s sad to see some of our fans using this as a stick to beat them with. Frankly, it’s the best emotive anthem in the country next to YNWA. Hibs battled hard to achieve back-to back wins over Celtic, (despite the obvious), and fierce rivals Hearts. They deserved their victory song at the end of these massive games-let them enjoy it!

When we deny other teams the right to enjoy their big days, it smacks of the old jibe which is often levelled at us, glory hunters. It’s only the beautiful game when we can all enjoy it. Well, almost all…

We hope, and we pray, that there’ll be only one joy at Celtic Park next week against Barry Ferguson’s new charges.

If they bring their European experience to Paradise, we may be in for a fight. If they revert to their Queens Park persona, we’ll take more than a few off them.

Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers applauds on the touchline at Celtic Park Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, Quarter Final, Celtic Park,- 09 March 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

I’m not a gambling man, but, if I was, I know where my money would be placed here. Jock Stein once said, “Only a fool would predict the outcome of these matches.” Willie Waddle had preceded this with, “2-0 Rangers!” I’m with Jock here. (3-0 Celtic, but don’t tell the big man!)

Enjoy the match, and, with the return of the Ibrox legions to this fixture, don’t forget to increase your insurance premiums.

Hail Hail!

Eddie Murray