Celtic Fans Go Wild as Chris Sutton’s Reaction to Daizen Maeda’s Goal vs St Johnstone Goes Viral
In the world of Scottish football, few things ignite the passion of Celtic fans like a stunning goal, a controversial moment, or a classic reaction from one of their own. On April 5, 2025, during Celtic’s clash against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, all three elements collided, sending social media into a frenzy. The catalyst? A sensational goal from Daizen Maeda, a pundit’s passionate response from Celtic legend Chris Sutton, and the electric reaction from the Hoops faithful that has since gone viral.
Celtic, the runaway leaders of the Scottish Premiership, were looking to bounce back from a rare defeat to St Johnstone the previous weekend. Despite their dominance, the champions were stunned by a 1-0 loss, with St Johnstone’s goalkeeper Andy Fisher earning plaudits for his heroics. The rematch in Perth was a chance for Brendan Rodgers’ side to reassert their authority, and Daizen Maeda, the Japanese star enjoying a phenomenal season, was at the heart of the action.
In the first half, with the scoreline still tight, Maeda latched onto a pinpoint cross and rifled a stunning volley into the top corner. The Celtic fans in attendance erupted, but their joy was short-lived as VAR intervened, disallowing the goal for an alleged foul by Auston Trusty in the build-up. The decision sparked outrage among the travelling supporters, who felt the call was harsh, with replays showing a mere “coming together” between Trusty and St Johnstone’s Graham Carey.
Maeda, undeterred, went on to score a legitimate goal later in the match, contributing to Celtic’s eventual 3-1 victory. But it was the disallowed strike that stole the headlines, not just for the controversy but for the reaction it elicited from Sky Sports pundit and Celtic icon Chris Sutton.
Commentating on the match for Sky Sports, Sutton, a former Celtic striker who scored 63 goals in 130 appearances for the club, couldn’t hide his frustration at the VAR decision. As the replays rolled, Sutton’s voice crackled with disbelief: “This is unbelievable! That’s never a foul in a million years. Maeda’s finish is world-class, and they’re robbing him of that moment!” His passionate defence of Maeda and Celtic resonated instantly with fans, who saw the incident as another example of questionable officiating in Scottish football.
Sutton’s animated commentary didn’t stop there. When Maeda finally got his goal in the second half, Sutton’s tone shifted to one of pure admiration: “There he is! Daizen Maeda, the man who never stops running, delivers again! What a season he’s having!” His infectious enthusiasm and clear affection for Maeda’s work rate struck a chord with Celtic supporters, who were already buzzing from the Japanese forward’s relentless performance.
As clips of Sutton’s commentary hit social media platforms like X, Celtic fans wasted no time in amplifying the moment. Posts featuring Sutton’s reaction, paired with footage of Maeda’s disallowed volley and his eventual goal, began circulating rapidly. One fan posted, “Chris Sutton absolutely NAILS it! That VAR call was a disgrace, and Maeda’s finish was pure class. Big Chris speaks for us all! 
#CelticFC,” garnering thousands of likes and retweets within hours.
#CelticFC,” garnering thousands of likes and retweets within hours.Another supporter shared a meme of Sutton’s face superimposed over a roaring lion, captioned, “When Big Chris sees Maeda get robbed by VAR! 
#MaedaMania.” The hashtag #MaedaMania trended briefly on X, with fans praising both Maeda’s tireless energy and Sutton’s unfiltered passion. A third fan wrote, “Sutton’s reaction to Maeda’s goal is why we love him. He’s one of us. That disallowed goal was a scandal, but Daizen shut them up! 
,” encapsulating the sentiment of a fanbase that felt both aggrieved and vindicated.
#MaedaMania.” The hashtag #MaedaMania trended briefly on X, with fans praising both Maeda’s tireless energy and Sutton’s unfiltered passion. A third fan wrote, “Sutton’s reaction to Maeda’s goal is why we love him. He’s one of us. That disallowed goal was a scandal, but Daizen shut them up! ,” encapsulating the sentiment of a fanbase that felt both aggrieved and vindicated.The viral nature of the moment was further fueled by the context of Maeda’s season. With 30 goals and nine assists in all competitions by early April, the 27-year-old has emerged as a frontrunner for Scotland’s Player of the Year. His relentless pressing, lightning pace, and newfound clinical edge have made him a fan favourite, and Sutton’s glowing praise only amplified the love
The viral reaction to Sutton’s commentary and Maeda’s performance taps into the heart of Celtic’s fan culture. The Hoops supporters are known for their unwavering loyalty, their distrust of refereeing decisions, and their deep connection to club legends like Sutton, who embody the spirit of the club. When Sutton called out the VAR decision as “diabolical” and hailed Maeda’s resilience…
