Scottish Premiership: Celtic go level on points with Hearts at top of table

• Daizen Maeda strikes twice as Celtic beat Falkirk 3-1

• Aberdeen seal nervy home win over Kilmarnock

Martin O’Neill hailed Daizen Maeda’s return to form after the Japan international drove Celtic to a 3-1 win over Falkirk. The centre-forward scored twice and set up Kieran Tierney as the Hoops moved level on points with the Premiership leaders, Hearts. The first two goals were a direct result of Maeda closing down opponents and he finished smartly for the third after the substitute Kyrell Wilson had pulled a goal back.

Maeda had sent Celtic on their way to the Scottish Cup final last weekend by charging down a clearance from the St Mirren goalkeeper Ryan Mullen to net and he again showed the value of his work ethic.