Celtic Advances To Scottish Cup Semi-Finals After Defeating Hibernian 2-0

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Celtic secured a 2-0 victory over Hibernian, advancing to the Scottish Cup semi-finals and maintaining their pursuit of a domestic treble. Despite having lost to Hibs in a recent league match, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers emphasised that revenge was not their motivation. "Revenge isn't a word I like to use," he stated. The team focused on delivering a strong performance, which they achieved at Celtic Park.

Daizen Maeda opened the scoring by netting his 27th goal of the season, continuing his impressive form with 13 goals in his last 13 games. Adam Idah sealed the win with a late strike from a tight angle during stoppage time. Rodgers praised Maeda's contributions, highlighting his ability to score various types of goals despite not being a traditional number nine.

Rodgers has maintained an impeccable record in the Scottish Cup, winning all 20 ties as Celtic's manager. He acknowledged Hibernian's recent form, noting their strong performances over the past three months. "We had to be good today to get this result," Rodgers remarked. The focus now shifts to preparing for the upcoming semi-final match.

Since Kyogo Furuhashi's departure to Rennes in January, Maeda has stepped up significantly for Celtic. Rodgers expressed confidence in Maeda's finishing abilities, stating, "You don't play for Japan in a World Cup as a number nine and score the goals he has scored for Japan and Yokohama if you can't finish." His growing confidence is evident as he continues to deliver crucial goals for the team.

The victory against Hibernian also follows Celtic's triumph over Rangers on penalties before Christmas, where they lifted the Scottish League Cup. This consistent success highlights their dominance in domestic competitions this season. With their sights set on another trophy, Celtic aims to maintain momentum as they approach the semi-finals.

As Celtic progresses in their campaign, fans eagerly anticipate who they will face next in the semi-finals. The team's current form and tactical discipline under Rodgers' leadership provide optimism for achieving further success this season. With key players like Maeda performing well, Celtic remains a formidable force in Scottish football.