Celtic made to fight

By RAYMOND JACOBS

Falkirk 2, Celtic 3

Falkirk lived up to their recently acquired reputa­tion for making things difficult for Celtic at Brockville. The result on Saturday was not a match to engage the senses of the purist, rather one who relishes the sweep of the broadsword than the thrust of the rapier.

The cramped confines of the ground persistently have a curious effect on the conduct of important games. This one was out of the rugged mould that is typical; the pace was furious, but whereas Falkirk were constantly stretched, Celtic, at something well below their full strength, nevertheless played more within themselves.

Such was the speed of play and the uncompromising tackling that a coherent build-up was almost out of the question. In the circumstances McCluskey did not seem the part of the midfield player. For that matter, Connelly looked out of character at centre half and the late tackle on Scott which earned him a caution seemed to underline his dis­comfort.

WEALTH OF TALENT

What the victory did show once again was the extent of Celtic's reserve power. Two points were gained in the absence of McNeill, Murdoch, Macari, and Johnstone.

Celtic, by the way, repeated their recent habit of coming from behind to win. McLeod took advantage of a defensive error almost mid­way in the first half, but Dalglish equalised within a minute and just on the interval took Celtic into the lead. For the way Harley and Young in particular had harried Celtic's defence into confusion and distraction at times, this was perhaps rather less than they deserved.

On the other hand, Falkirk's defence with the notable exceptions of Kennedy and Shirra did have a tendency to stand and stare when Celtic injected some rhythm and sharpened the edge of their attacks. When, five minutes after the interval, Deans glanced in a header from the finest of angles from Hood’s cross, there seemed little chance of Falkirk saving the day.

LEG BREAK

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The odds lengthened in the saddest way when, 20 minutes from time, Shirra was carried off, his left leg broken after an entirely accidental collision with Deans. This brought on Cattanach, and Quinn substituted for Callaghan and either Celtic unconsciously relaxed their efforts or Falkirk gained a new lease of life, but most of the final period belonged to the home side.

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With 12 minutes left McLeod stole round the end of Celtic’s defence and shot home Cattenach’s crafty free kick, and before the end Connaghan twice had Celtic supporters’ hearts in their mouths with confused attempts at clearing his lines.

FALKIRK-- Donaldson; Kennedy and Shirra; Markie, McMillan and McLeod; Hoggan and Harley; Scott, Young and Ferguson. Substitute—Cattenach.
CELTIC—Connaghan; McGrain and Brogan; McCluskey, Connelly and Hay; Hood and Deans; Dalglish, Lennox and Callaghan. Substitute—Quinn.

Referee—G. B. Smith (Edinburgh).