Celtic Secure Crucial Victory in Scottish Title Race Following Maeda's Overhead Kick
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This felt a hugely significant victory in the Scottish title race. Celtic require only two more of them to successfully defend the league. For the Rangers manager, Danny Röhl, yet another second-half capitulation will only increase murmurings about his capability of delivering success at Ibrox. Rangers will end this season trophyless and third in a two-horse race – remarkably, given the tens of millions spent on assembling their squad.
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Sky SportsSunday 10 May 2026 14:11, UK Daizen Maeda scored one of the great Old Firm goals as Celtic came from behind to beat Rangers 3-1 at Celtic Park and move to within a point of Hearts at the top of the Premiership.
BBC SportThat interest will only ratchet upwards now. Celtic have taken care of Rangers and are coming for Hearts. Can Derek McInnes' side hold them off in the final days of a tumultuous campaign?
Yahoo SportsWin against Falkirk on Wednesday and they ensure the title goes down to the final day at Celtic Park. A draw would then be enough for the Edinburgh-based team to be crowned champions - even if the Hoops beat Motherwell in midweek.
Reuters SportsCeltic keep Scottish title race alive with 3-1 win over Rangers - Reuters Celtic keep Scottish title race alive with 3-1 win over Rangers Reuters
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"Now, some people don't think that counts for much. For me, I personally do. "Hearts have felt the pressure of being the team that's been hunted for 30 weeks consecutively now, and they've handled it already extremely well.
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Tierney's cross was swept home by Maeda and was soon followed by his piece-de-resistance, the overhead kick that nobody saw coming, Butland most of all.
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Sky SportsThen came the moment that left the stadium in disbelief. Sebastian Tounekti's cross was only partially blocked, allowing Maeda to tee the ball up and dispatch an overhead kick into the top corner from 15 yards that left Butland with no chance.
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Asked about what it means for the title race, he adds: "The midweek game is going to be extremely difficult - Motherwell are a fine footballing team.
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BBC Sport"We have to win because I would expect Hearts to win. We've a really difficult match at Motherwell, but I think the run that we're on gives us confidence to compete."
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"He looks really cool and calm," Lennon said. "I think he has handled the media and the games brilliantly. Whether this is his last hurrah, he will want to go out winning the title and his team is now responding to the level we know they can.
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BBC SportHowever, Lennon thinks giving the veteran a winning send-off will be another motivating factor for the players.
3 details only one outlet reported
Independent claims that didn't surface elsewhere in our corpus. Treat as supplementary — not corroborated across outlets.
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01 BBC Sport Published For fans as a title race comes to its conclusion, the overwhelming feeling is nervousness.
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02 Yahoo Sports Sinclair: Where did that performance come from? Dominant and dangerous apart from the first 15 minutes or so. Fir Park is a massive massive game now, hopefully we can take Sunday into Wednesday. No longer needing a snooker, just need to clear the table to win. Truthfully, it's ill-deserved but we will take it!
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03 Sky Sports "They needed three wins but in three of the toughest games you could get. They have negotiated one and it is a two-horse race now."
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Sources (5)
- guardian-sport
- yahoosports
- skysports
- bbc-sport
- reuters-sports