Martin O'Neill mulls over Celtic-Hearts momentum and critiques Daizen Maeda's moment of brilliance

Maeda scored twice in a 3-1 win over Rangers, the second of which was a stunning overhead kick, to move Celtic a point behind league leaders Hearts, who drew 1-1 with Motherwell on Saturday night. The champions head to Fir Park on Wednesday, while Hearts host Falkirk.

Celtic’s situation is still precarious given that a defeat by Motherwell would hand Hearts the title should they overcome the Bairns at Tynecastle. But a positive result - and in particular a victory - would set up a winner-takes-all showdown with Hearts at Celtic Park next weekend.

O’Neill knows that further fortitude will be required in the closing stages of what has been a trying season. Rangers briefly led through Mikey Moore’s ninth-minute opener before Yang Hyun-jun restored parity on 23 minutes.

“It was really obviously important to win the game,” said O’Neill. “It was a great fight back by the players and lovely to win. We played some really great stuff. Strangely enough, so did the Rangers as well too, so the first half was just really hectic. It was one of those, you have the ball, they have the ball, you have it, they have it, and they made the most of it. So, coming from behind today was great for us.”

He cautioned about getting carried away. “We have to win [at Motherwell], we have no grounds for dropping points, we can't afford to do it,” warned O’Neill. “I would expect Hearts to win their game. We've a really difficult match at Motherwell, really difficult. I couldn't even think about the following game (against Hearts) until that match was played. Really difficult, that was proved last night.

“We've been fighting a long way. We know what's ahead of us now at this minute. Wednesday will be really tough, as shown from last night. But I think the run that we're on gives us confidence to go and compete. And also the fact that we've come from behind today as well too.

“I know we're at home, the crowd were brilliant for us, but to come from behind against Rangers and play in the manner in which we did, particularly in the second half, that should give us a boost.”

Celtic are now on a five-game winning run in the league but O’Neill played down its significance. “People have said to me about momentum, and I think momentum can get shifted at any given moment,” the 74-year-old explained. “We're doing fine, really doing fine in the games, but we're just trying to find a way to win.

“Today is obviously special against Rangers, but eventually, in the scheme of things, it's just three points and we can look no further than Wednesday.

“I said before, even if Hearts had won it was very much in their hands as the goal difference would be too great. But at least, yeah, it's in our hands. We have to try and do something about it.”

The manager was moved to lavish Maeda with praise after his bicycle kick. “Sensational, really sensational,” purred O’Neill. “His second goal was out of this world. But his whole performance… he starts off with his closing down and the negative part of the game. It galvanises the side because he’s so good about it. Then his own performance, with the ball and scoring the goals, was magnificent.”

O’Neill drew comparisons with an iconic Old Firm goal by Henrik Larsson back in 2000. “Yeah, it is very much so,” added the manager. “Henrik will disagree of course, but it was great goal. He was super today.

“Honestly. Which goal was better? I'm going to take him out tonight. He was terrific, really terrific. I don't know where he gets the energy from. When he did it, I knew it was going in. Because there was enough pace to carry it across. It was incredible.”