Maeda breaks hearts in landmark Celtic appearance
Daizen Maeda's sensational season for Celtic continued as his two goals helped the Scottish Premiership leader ease to a 3-0 victory over Hearts.
Maeda has now scored 30 goals across all competitions for Brendan Rodgers' side, with his strikes coming either side of Jota's fourth goal since returning to the Hoops in January.
Celtic remains 13 points clear at the summit of the standings, and faces St Johnstone next in what will be an audition for a Scottish Cup semi-final clash next month.
Maeda opened the scoring at Celtic Park in the 17th minute, racing on to Callum McGregor's pass in behind the Hearts defence, before placing the ball beyond Craig Gordon.
The hosts doubled their advantage seven minutes later with Maeda involved again. He saw his header hit the post, but the rebound fell kindly for Jota to finish from close range.
The result was put beyond doubt four minutes before the break, with Maeda notching his brace from inside the six-yard box after Nicolas Kuhn's teasing delivery.
"The way we played through their press for all three goals was really impressive," Rodgers said after the game.
"For the players to come back from the international break and to play with that connection and authority, I was really pleased.
"You see what Daizen [Maeda] gives the team with that relentless appetite to press. When he's in, you fancy him to score."
Much of the talk surrounding Celtic's game was about the future of Maeda, with the Bhoys keen to extend their top scorer's stay at the club, and the Japan international proved why his team should break the bank to keep him in Glasgow.
Maeda marked his 150th appearance for Celtic in all competitions with his 59th goal.
