We wanted to prove what a team we are – Adam Idah

The Celtic Star

·10 marzo 2025

We wanted to prove what a team we are – Adam Idah

After Celtic cruised past Hibernian and into the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup this year, Adam Idah declared afterwards that the Bhoys wanted to prove to everyone how good a team they are, after losing at Easter Road last time out against David Gray’s side…

Adam Idah of Celtic celebrates after scoring to give them a 2-0 lead Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, Quarter Final, Celtic Park, – 09 March 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

Brendan Rodgers’ side dominated the match but struggled to get that killer touch in the final third at times, whilst Hibs defended admirably throughout the entire 90 minutes at Celtic Park. The breakthrough eventually came on 38 minutes and was scored, quite appropriately, by our number 38 – and Player of the Year – Daizen Maeda.

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The Japanese forward has been in sizzling form this season and made it 27 for the campaign against the Hibees yesterday afternoon. Maeda and his comrades continued to knock on the door for the rest of the game without much luck in all honesty; however, late into injury-time, a well worked move between Yang and Luke McCowan saw Adam Idah get on the end of a low cross into the box to seal the win.

Adam Idah of Celtic celebrates after scoring to give them a 2-0 lead Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, Quarter Final, Celtic Park, – 09 March 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

It was a much needed goal for Idah, who has been goal-shy in recent times, and will no doubt do his confidence the world of good. Connie McLaughlin spoke to both goalscorers after the match – mainly talking to Idah – and asked the big Irishman on his thoughts at getting to Hampen once again. “Yeah, really good,” Idah said. “It was a great performance after the result last time against them. We knew coming into today was always going to be tough, and we wanted to prove to everyone what a team we are. You know to come back from a loss and the boys showed that today and we’re through to the next round.”

When asked if that Easter Road result was something they had been conscious of ahead of the Scottish Cup fixture, he replied: “I wouldn’t say we were conscious of it, but yeah, as you say there, we had to put the game to bed from last week. We looked over mistakes from the last game and put it right today. To be fair to the boys, they were brilliant the whole game and it was a bit unfortunate that we didn’t score more goals, but we got the win at the end of the day.”

Daizen Maeda of Celtic scoring 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)

Daizen was also quizzed about netting his 27th goal of the season and kept it short and sweet for the interviewer. Never one to hog the limelight and praise, even after another Man of the Match display, the Japan international said to Premier Sports: “Yeah, I’m happy to score the goal. We dominated the game and we played well.”

Idah, meanwhile, was asked for his opinion on his fellow striker, in terms of how integral he is to this Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic team. He said: “He’s been unbelievable, you know. I don’t know how many games that is in a row now where he’s scored. It’s not just his goals, but his performance on the pitch as well has been amazing. There’s been a big change with Daizen – he’s been fantastic and he’s the number one name on the teamsheet every single week. We’d be lost without him. Not just attacking-wise, but defensively as well, he’s unbelievable. What a season he’s been having, so we’re delighted to have him in the team.”

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)

When asked about how it felt to get back on the scoresheet again himself, after a spell without finding the back of the net, the Cork native said: “Yeah, it was good. Obviously I hadn’t scored a goal in a while now. So to come on and only come on for short period of time and get the goal, was a nice feeling. Hopefully I can continue that going forward.”

🍀 Celtic goalscorers Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda react to Scottish Cup Quarter-Final win over Hibs "We wanted to prove to everyone what a team we are." 🗣️ #ScottishCup
– domenica 9 marzo 2025