Daizen Maeda was the star of the show as Glasgow Celtic romped their way to a 6-0 win over Aberdeen in Saturday’s 2024/25 Scottish League Cup semifinal at Hampden Park.
Both Celtic and Aberdeen had impressive starts to the 2024/25 season – coming into Saturday’s semifinal, neither had lost a game domestically and were separated by mere goal difference in the league. The two were inseparable even during their league encounter back in October, where Aberdeen rally from 2-0 down to tie the game 2-2 at Celtic Park.
Just three minutes after Cameron Carter-Vickers powered in Arne Engels’ corner in the 29th minute, former Yokohama F. Marinos striker Maeda burst forward, outmaneuvering goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov to set up his Japan teammate Kyogo Furuhashi, who smashed in Celtic’s second goal.
Brendan Rodgers’ side, undefeated in all 13 domestic matches this season, struck again before halftime. Nicolas Kuhn threaded a pass behind the defense, allowing Maeda to score his first goal of the night.
Aberdeen had impressed in their league clash with Celtic two weeks ago, but any hope of a repeat at Hampden was crushed when Maeda tapped in a back-post rebound, followed by Kuhn capping off his strong performance with a goal just before the hour mark.
Maeda then completed his hat-trick and Celtic’s sixth goal, finishing off a breathtaking, fluid team move.
While Aberdeen remain level with Celtic on points at the top of the Premiership, the humbling defeat serves as a sharp reminder for Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin of the strength and dominance Celtic commands in Scotland.