Kyogo spent three-and-a-half years in Glasgow’s East End. He scored 85 goals during that time and won three league titles, as many League Cups, and two Scottish Cups.

‘The best since Larsson,’ he was often dubbed, although former Celtic attacker Simon Donnelly believes Daizen Maeda has surpassed Kyogo’s legacy.

Maeda scored in each of Celtic’s five post-split fixtures this season, as they went on an indomitable run of form that ultimately won them the title.

His overhead kick against Rangers a fortnight ago is up there with Larsson’s iconic chip in the same fixture.

“From the minute Maeda walked into the club, his contribution has been nothing but sensational,” Donnelly said of Maeda. “He has fallen under some criticism this season, but he finished the season strongly.

“You could see his emotions when his goal went to VAR at the weekend [against Hearts]. The emotion he showed was maybe because it was his last game at Celtic Park. Time will tell but you can’t question his contribution.

“He surpasses what Kyogo contributed. Last season, winning the Player of the Year award and scoring so many goals, was great.

“I’ve always said, when I’ve covered the games, I would love to have played with him as a teammate, but I’d have hated to play against him. He is relentless.

“Anybody who has worked with him would say he’s a great team player. At 94 minutes against Hearts last Saturday, he was down trying to win things back at 2-1. He was trying to defend a lead.

“He’s been a pretty special player for Celtic.”

All season long, Celtic’s frontline has been shorn of quality. But in the closing weeks of the season, Maeda and Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up to the mark.

The latter’s role as an impact substitute could not have been more effective. Iheanacho scored late winner after late winner, and in last Saturday’s title-clincher against Hearts, he linked up amicably with the returning Callum Osmand.

The striker recovered from a six-month hamstring lay-off to score one goal and set up another in the last act of a league season that has often defied description.

Osmand has only made four Celtic appearances this season – all from the bench. Yet his contributions have been invaluable.

He scored against Rangers in the League Cup semi-final last November and won a penalty away at Midtjylland shortly after. His impactful cameo last Saturday carved his name into the history books.

“I like Osmand,” Donnelly continued. “The kid came in and lit up the semi-final against Rangers and looked really sharp.

“He picked up an injury but has now come back in and it was an absolute dream for him to score the goal on Saturday.

“Even before the goal, I thought him and Kelechi Iheanacho were linking up really well. Is that something the manager might look towards this weekend, with Maeda playing out wide? Time will tell.

“You need that personality to play with Celtic. It can be a difficult place to go and try and play.

“The guy looks like he’s loving life at the moment and why wouldn’t he be? He has scored against Rangers in a semi-final and scored the goal that’s clinched the title.

“It’s probably a little reward for him because he’s had to be patient to get back from his injury. He has reaped the reward at the weekend and he might find he’s played himself into the final.

“I don’t know what his ceiling might be because I’ve not seen enough of him. When I saw him in the semi-final, I thought, ‘Why has he not been put in before?’. It’s the question that everybody was asking.

“He looks bright, he looks sharp and he has a bit of everything. He looks lively enough and it’s now up to him to take the chances when they come.”

In the infancy of his career, Osmand has often proved the man for the big occasion. Today presents another, as Celtic face Neil Lennon‘s Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup final.

“Even though, at times this season, it hasn’t looked the case, they are sitting on yet another chance of a double,” Donnelly added.

“Dunfermline are in front of them with Neil, who’s had a good season. Taking them to the final has been no mean feat.

“I remember playing Raith Rovers in a cup final in 1994 (Celtic lost on penalties), so you never take anything for granted. I don’t think Celtic will.

“I just feel the release of winning the league and getting that out the way will be a huge plus for Celtic on Saturday.”

This afternoon’s cup final bookends what has been one of the most turbulent campaigns in modern Celtic history. Even though the Dunfermline clash is not yet out of the way, focus has shifted to 2026/27 and what lies ahead.

Managerial uncertainty reigns, and a drastic squad overhaul could be in the offing.

“I don’t know how to reflect on this season,” Donnelly concluded. “If you’d told me that Martin O’Neill would lift the championship, I’d have thought there was something wrong with you.

“It’s been a crazy season. He’s been in twice and he’s done a fantastic job. Who is going to take over going forward? I don’t know.

“Recruitment hasn’t been great in recent times and they have to look at that. Hearts will only get stronger and you’d imagine Rangers will, too.

“I don’t know if this season has been a wake-up call but you have to take note and you need to get stronger again because there might be a challenge from two teams next year.

“There is going to be a lot of change over the summer. There are a lot of loanees there who won’t be there next season. The management and coaching team? We still don’t know.”

For more information, session dates, and to sign up for On The Ball Fast 3s, visit On The Ball Academy. The programme will deliver more than 1,000 hours of football across Glasgow this summer, including free and subsidised sessions designed to help young people rediscover the fun, freedom and creativity of the game through a fast-paced small-sided format inspired by street football. Sessions will take place across Scotstoun, Toryglen and the Palace of Arts throughout the World Cup and Commonwealth Games summer.