The rivalry between Celtic FC and Rangers FC has always produced drama on the pitch. Fierce tackles, roaring crowds, and unforgettable moments have defined this historic clash for decades. But this time, the biggest talking point may have come after the final whistle — and it didn’t happen inside the stadium.
It came from a phone.
Moments after helping his side dump Rangers out of the FA Cup, Celtic forward Daizen Maeda sparked a full-blown social media storm with a post that was quickly deleted but not before thousands of fans captured screenshots.
The Japanese international had just delivered another tireless performance, chasing down defenders, pressing relentlessly, and playing a key role in Celtic’s victory. Rangers supporters were already frustrated after seeing their team’s cup hopes collapse against their bitter rivals.
But what happened online shortly after the match took things to another level.
Within minutes of the final whistle, fans noticed that Maeda had posted a cryptic message on his social media page. At first, many assumed it was simply a celebratory post about the win. However, the tone of the message reportedly hinted at something far more provocative.
The post quickly disappeared.
But by the time it vanished, screenshots had already begun circulating across football social media. Supporters from both sides began debating whether the comment was real, whether it had been misinterpreted, and whether Maeda would face backlash for it.
For nearly an hour, speculation spread everywhere. Celtic fans celebrated the boldness of the moment, while Rangers supporters accused the winger of showing disrespect toward their club.
Then came the screenshot that truly ignited the debate.
Right around the middle of the viral discussion, the now-deleted line that Maeda allegedly posted began circulating widely:
“They talk like giants but fall like amateurs. Another big night, another reminder that Glasgow is green.”
The reaction was instant and explosive.
Celtic fans flooded social media with laughing emojis and memes, hailing the message as one of the coldest post-match digs they had ever seen. Rangers supporters, meanwhile, were furious, arguing that the comment crossed the line from rivalry banter into outright disrespect.
One viral post from a fan read:
“Maeda pressed Rangers all night… then pressed ‘send’ after the match.”
Another fan joked:
“He didn’t just knock them out of the cup — he knocked them out on Twitter too.”
Despite the chaos online, neither Celtic FC nor Maeda himself made any official statement about the post. The silence only added to the mystery. Some supporters believe the message was posted in the heat of the moment before someone from the club advised him to delete it. Others think the post might have been meant as harmless banter that simply escalated beyond control.
Whatever the explanation, one thing is clear: the moment has already become another unforgettable chapter in one of football’s fiercest rivalries.
Matches between Celtic and Rangers rarely need extra fuel. The tension, the atmosphere, and the history speak for themselves. But when a player appears to mock the defeated side moments after a cup knockout, the story writes itself.
And for Rangers fans, the screenshot of that deleted message may linger long after the result itself fades.
But sometimes, a single social media post can ignite an entire rivalry.