Match Pictures | Matches: 2025 – 2026
Trivia
- KO: 19:45, Wednesday
- Prematch: Midfielder Arne Engels is glad Celtic are sticking “to the basics again”.
- Celtic second on 44pts only 1GD ahead of Sevco, whilst Hearts won 2-1 v St Mirren to remain 6pts in front, despite being down to ten men and conceded two ruled out goals offside.
- Scotland head coach Steve Clarke in the Falkirk stand
- Ex-Celt Barry Robson has been appointed Cork City boss.
- Stephen Welsh recalled from Motherwell loan. Stephen Welsh could return to Motherwell before the end of the January transfer window, acc to MoN.
- Martin O’Neill has suggested, while admitting he does not expect injured winger Jota to play again this season.
- Reports:
- Celtic are interested in Lorient striker Mohamed Bamba, 27. He was dropped from the Lorient squad at the weekend for a “lack of discipline”, the 24-year-old striker’s head coach, Olivier Pantaloni, has revealed.
- Celtic’s move for Hapoel Petah Tikva’s Ivory Coast winger Jocelyn Ta Bi, 20, has been undermined by injury (reported to need surgery soon). On the other hand, there’s some protest against Celtic doing transfer business with club from Israel (debate for another more appropriate forum).
- Talking with Red Bull Bragantino over a possible loan deal for 26-year-old winger Ignacio Laquintana as they turn to other targets.
- Celtic are exploring a move for Union Berlin striker Andrej Ilic, but the Germans’ £9m valuation and interest from multiple clubs, including Burnley, could make the signing difficult. They are also strongly considering Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
- Union Berlin forward Andrej Ilic. The Serbian international would cost £9m so we can scratch that one.
- Loan move for Man City Keeper Stefan Ortega.
- Hib’s Bowie mentioned yet again but can’t see Hibs selling in Jan
- Transfers – January transfer window:
- Hacken director of football Martin Ericsson says the Swedes would expect a club record fee before they would agree to sell 21-year-old Danish midfielder Silas Andersen, who has recently been linked with a number of foreign clubs, including Celtic
-
In:
Julian Araujo – On loan – 6mth
Stephen Welsh recalled from Motherwell loan.
Out:
Hayato Inamura – Loan to FC Tokyo until the end of the 2025/26 season.
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey loan cancelled early
Summary
Joebloggscity of TheCelticwiki:
A dreadful performance on a dreadful pitch, with a very fortuitous goal saving Celtic’s blushes. Little good to say about this match, and it could be argued that Falkirk were unfortunate to not convert at least one of their opportunities in the first half.
Even Martin O’Neill in his post-match match interview was quite transparent that it was a poor performance and well below what he wants.
A game to file away….
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill is relieved to take the three points against Falkirk. “It was on a knife edge,” he tells BBC Scotland. “Falkirk had some good chances in the first half and on another night they might have scored. “We were fortunate to go in 1-0 ahead at half time. We hadn’t played particular well. “I thought the second half we started to improve a bit and got a bit tighter. “Overall, delighted to win, but we can play much better. “It is only 72 hours since we played brilliantly against Dundee United.”
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill was asked about adding players to the squad this month. “We’re hoping to do so,” he tells BBC Scotland. “That’s pretty necessary. We’re making progress on things and certainly, by the end of the window, we should have some players to supplement this squad. “There are reports about a lot of…I seem to get five or six per day. We are trying to make ground and we’re doing pretty well I think. “I thought my time was done here, so I wasn’t expecting to pick up the pieces again and look at players. “Just give us a little bit of time, cut me a little bit of slack and we’ll be okay. The focus is to try to win some football matches, but the other aspect to it is to try to add to the squad if we can do. “To add a bit of extra quality to help the players out here.”
Radar of KDS:
3 points but a brutal performance. Only difference between that and a Nancy-esque hammering was luck. Falkirk missed a good few chances first half. Engels was invisible. If it wasn’t for his corners you wouldn’t have known he was on the pitch. Nygren equally unproductive. Tounekti started well but ran out of ideas after 15 minutes. Yang was energetic but created nothing. Maeda had one of his “what’s this round thing?” games. Add in all the misplaced passes, negativity and just bad decision making and that game stank the place out. At least it gives us a few more days breathing space for the board to fail to sign anyone. That squad are winning nothing this season, Martin O’Neil or not.
Jbj712 of KDS:
We urgently need a CB, a midfielder with some degree of physicality and a proper CF.
If we go to the Diet Huns without those three new players then we will not win it’s that simple.
We could do with another couple of wingers as well but the spine of the team needs reinforced as the priority.
Plus we cannot afford to sell Maeda, Yang or Hatate this month.
CelticCard of KDS:
Abject. Worst performance under MON. On a par with the Rodgers Dundee game. Only Motherwell under Nancy was worse. No creativity. Bossed around all over the pitch. We looked meek, nervous, and totally devoid of ideas. I don’t understand why we persist with fannying around at the back. We’re terrible at it. Got lucky not to give away a goal on several occasions. It also seems to take every player multiple touches to get the ball under control. And we’re so slow at moving it on. Engels, McGregor, and both CBs did my nut in particularly. First thought is always backwards, but only after they’ve taken 8 touches. We need a striker desperately. I don’t think we’ve ever needed a player more. It’s a double-whammy having Maeda up there. He can’t play that role with this team, and this set-up. And taking him off the wing massively weakens our left side. Horrible horrible watch. Massive 3 points. Hopefully just an off night on a difficult pitch. Sign players.
Teams
Celtic
Manager Martin O’Neill
Formation 4 – 3 – 3
01, K. Schmeichel
63, K. Tierney, Yellow Card 74′
05, L. Scales
06, A. Trusty
22, J. Araujo
08, B. Nygren
42, C. McGregor (c), Captain
27, A. Engels, subbed for J. Kenny at 79mins
23, S. Tounekti, subbed for R. Hatate at 66mins
38, D. Maeda
13, Yang Hyun-Jun, subbed for L. McCowan at 66mins
51, C. Donovan
49, J. Forrest
28, Paulo Bernardo
41, R. Hatate
24, J. Kenny
14, L. McCowan
47, D. Murray
56, A. Ralston
12, V. Sinisalo
Goals: B. Nygren (43′)
Assists: A. Engels (43′)
Falkirk
Manager: John McGlynn
19, S. Bain
03, L. McCann
05, L. Henderson
20, C. Allan
28, F. Lissah
21, D. Tait, subbed for H. Cartwright at 74mins
08, B. Spencer (c), Captain
29, C. Miller, subbed for E. Williams at 78mins
14, F. Yeats, subbed for L. Marsh at 63mins
22, K. Wilson, subbed for E. Ross at 78mins
16, B. Stewart, subbed for B. Parkinson at 63mins
Substitutes
02, K. Adams
17, H. Cartwright
06, C. Donaldson
07, B. Graham
01, N. Hogarth
30, L. Marsh
27, B. Parkinson
23, E. Ross
24, E. Williams
Venue:Falkirk Stadium
Attendance:7,730
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
- Prior https://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/falkirk-vs-celtic-pre-match-thread-wednesday-14-ja-t144207.html
- Match https://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/falkirk-v-celtic-live-match-thread-ft-0-1-nygren-t144220.html
- Post https://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/falkirk-v-celtic-post-match-thread-ft-0-1-nygren-t144222.html
- MoTM https://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/motm-v-falkirk-t144221.html
Stats
Basic Stats
Overall possession
FAL
42.9%
CEL
57.1%
Falkirk 42.9%Celtic 57.1%
Shots
Falkirk 11Celtic 8
11
8
Shots on target
Falkirk 6Celtic 2
6
2
Total touches inside the opposition box
Falkirk 17Celtic 26
FAL
17
26
CEL
Goalkeeper saves
Falkirk 1Celtic 6
1
6
Aerial duels won
Falkirk 10Celtic 14
10
14
Fouls committed
Falkirk 8Celtic 10
8
10
Corners
Falkirk 3Celtic 4
3
4
In-depth match stats
Attack
Shots
Falkirk 11Celtic 8
11
8
Shots on target
Falkirk 6Celtic 2
6
2
Shots off target
Falkirk 4Celtic 3
4
3
Attempts out of box
Falkirk 3Celtic 1
1
Total offsides
Falkirk 3Celtic 1
3
1
Distribution
Total passes
Falkirk 427Celtic 582
427
582
Pass accuracy %
Falkirk 78.5Celtic 83.8
78.5
83.8
Backward passes
Falkirk 78Celtic 98
78
98
Forward passes
Falkirk 142Celtic 193
142
193
Total long balls
Falkirk 60Celtic 69
60
69
Successful final third passes
Falkirk 48Celtic 141
48
141
Total crosses
Falkirk 19Celtic 17
19
17
Defence
Total tackles
Falkirk 16Celtic 10
16
10
Won tackle %
Falkirk 68.8Celtic 60
68.8
60
Fouls committed
Falkirk 8Celtic 10
8
10
Total yellow cards
Falkirk 0Celtic 1
0
1
Total clearances
Falkirk 24Celtic 25
24
25
Pre Match Facts
Falkirk have lost 13 of their last 15 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D2) since a 1-0 victory in March 2007.
Celtic have only lost one of their last 22 league matches against Falkirk (W18 D3), and have also won 19 of their last 20 league matches against newly promoted opponents (D1) since a 1-2 defeat to Hearts in July 2021.
Falkirk have only lost one of their last eight home league matches (W3 D4), going down 0-2 to Hearts in December.
Celtic have lost four of their last seven away games in the Scottish Premiership (W3), as many as their previous 32 on the road beforehand (W22 D6 L4).
Celtic have lost both of their last two midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games, as many as their previous 80 beforehand (W67 D11 L2). The Bhoys last lost three league matches in a row in midweek from January to May 1990.
Articles
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cx2wydq1l9jt#Report
At a glance
Nygren heads Celtic in front before break despite strong Falkirk display
Schmeichel produces fine save to deny hosts’ Williams late on
Celtic edge to victory to stay six points behind leaders Hearts
Falkirk v Celtic highlights
15/01/26
Benjamin Nygren’s 10th Scottish Premiership goal of the season gave Celtic an unconvincing – but vital – victory over Falkirk, which kept them six points behind leaders Hearts on an important night in the title race.
The Sweden international’s header a minute before half-time turned out to be the winner, but came against the run of play during a first half which Falkirk looked the sharper side.
Celtic improved after the break but did not have the control that has been the hallmark of their performances over several seasons, looking more like the shaky outfit of this turbulent campaign.
John McGlynn’s Falkirk team played with intensity and conviction as they hunted Celtic in midfield and doubled up on them out wide to win possession and create good chances.
Kyrell Wilson had the best of them in the first half as he powered away from Kieran Tierney and jinked away from Kasper Schmeichel, only to lose his footing and poke wide.
The Celtic goalkeeper also produced a fantastic save with his feet in the final 10 minutes to deny Ethan Williams after mistakes by Auston Trusty and Liam Scales.
Up the other end Scott Bain was rarely forced into action, with Celtic managing only two shots on target.
Nonetheless on a night when league leaders Hearts beat St Mirren with 10 men, Martin O’Neill kept up his 100% domestic record this season and made sure his side stay in touch.
Graphic
Analysis: Nygren bails Celtic out against brilliant Bairns
If the dominant dismantling of a meek Dundee United side appeared to exorcise the demons of the brief Wilfried Nancy era at the weekend, this performance was a reminder of this Celtic side’s fragility.
O’Neill was clear this week he feels signings are an absolute must, and being outplayed for most of the game by a side who were in the Championship this time last year will only turn up the heat on the club’s hierarchy to urgently add quality.
The fact Nygren, a player who has gone from winger to midfielder and sometimes substitute, is the first player to hit double figures in the league this season – in January – is testament to their attacking struggles.
Luckily for Celtic the Swede has a fantastic ability to be in the right place at the right time, as he was again to get on the end of Arne Engels’ dipping corner.
It was one of only two efforts on target as the champions toiled to build from the back, in large part due to Falkirk’s ability to snuff out Callum McGregor’s influence.
Nobody else stepped up to get them moving forward and they had little control.
McGlynn and Falkirk need to take immense credit for that, as they hounded Celtic and used their moments on the ball to play superb football.
Right-back Filip Lissah was outstanding, as was Leon McCann on the other side of the defence.
They were helped out at both ends of the pitch by wingers Calvin Miller and Wilson, who was only missing the finish from his excellent run in the first half.
The killer touch was all that was lacking. Still, they have a five-point cushion over Dundee United and Aberdeen in the race for the top six and deserve the be in the top half right now.
What they said
Falkirk manager John McGlynn: “I think most neutrals will agree that we deserved to take something from the game – at least one point, maybe three.
“We had three good chances in the first half and, in the second half, Schmeichel makes a fantastic save. So I’m absolutely gutted for our players. They put so much into the game, they played particularly well.
“We have kept them quiet tonight. I have played Celtic before and the goalkeeper has been out best player, but that was not the case tonight.”
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill: “It was on a knife edge. Falkirk had some good chances in the first half and on another night they might have scored.
“We were fortunate to go in 1-0 ahead at half time. We hadn’t played particular well. I thought the second half we started to improve a bit and got a bit tighter.
“Overall, delighted to win, but we can play much better. It is only 72 hours since we played brilliantly against Dundee United.”
What’s next for these teams?
Both teams start their Scottish Cup campaign.
Falkirk visit Premiership leaders Hearts in the fourth round on Saturday (20:00 GMT) while Celtic play sixth-tier side Auchinleck Talbot at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park on Sunday (17:30).
O’Neill calls for patience on Celtic transfers
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill during a William Hill Premiership match between Falkirk and Celtic at The Falkirk Stadium, on January 14, 2026, in Falkirk, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cn0kz04107do
Martin O’Neill still has a 100% record in domestic football this season
ByThomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland
Published
7 hours ago
Falkirk v Celtic highlights
15/01/26
Watch on iPlayer
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill is calling for patience as the club tries to bring in “necessary” signings in their bid to chase down Hearts and defend their Scottish Premiership title.
O’Neill kept up his 100% domestic record as Celtic boss this season with a 1-0 win away at Falkirk to stay six points behind the league leaders.
However, the insipid nature of the performance – which yielded just two shots on target – will only increase demand from fans to strengthen the squad.
Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton described the display as “lacklustre” and asked “where has the recruitment plan gone?”
“We’re making progress on things and certainly by the end of the window we should have some players to supplement this squad,” O’Neill told BBC Scotland.
“I thought my time was done here, so I wasn’t expecting to pick up the pieces again and look at players. Just give us a little bit of time, cut me a little bit of slack and we’ll be OK.
“The focus is to try and win some football matches, but the other aspect to it is to add a bit of extra quality to help the players out here.”
Nygren goal sinks Falkirk & edges Celtic into second
Latest Celtic news, analysis and fan views
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Published
18 June 2023
Do Celtic need more than a striker?
Much of the discussion about Celtic has centred around the need for a striker, or perhaps two.
Benjamin Nygren scored the winner against Falkirk and, in doing so, became the first Celtic player to reach 10 goals in the league this season.
That is despite the fact the Sweden international has not played as a striker, but in midfield or as a winger. And he has only started 14 of their 22 league games.
Celtic are underperforming their expected goals by 10 this season, have only the fourth best conversion rate and rank second bottom for shooting accuracy.
The champions have scored 39 goals from 22 games – after the same number of matches last season they had netted 61 times.
The stats on their productivity in front of goal are damning.
Last season’s top scorer Daizen Maeda, who has seven Premiership goals this term, did score most of his 33 goals last season from the left wing.
Celtic graphic
However, former Celtic midfielder John Collins believes an experienced striker could change everything.
“It’s hard playing football without a natural centre forward,” he said on BBC Scotland’s Sportsound. “Someone you can hit and you know it’ll stick.
“If you’re a midfielder you can play one-twos, knowing they can bounce it off you. You can’t do that with Maeda, he likes to run in behind. You can’t link with him.
“He’s up there doing his best, but he’s not a real centre forward for me. A good centre forward can change everything.
“You’re getting half chances, next thing you’re 3-0 up. The chances Celtic do create, if you’ve got a good striker you’re winning comfortably.”
Right-back Julian Araujo has arrived on loan from Bournemouth this month, as Celtic also look to address weaknesses in other areas, amid injuries to some key players too.
Becuase while profligacy has been costly at times this season – especially in the ill-fated Wilfried Nancy eta – it was not their major problem against Falkirk.
They only managed two shots on target and were outplayed in spells by John McGlynn’s side, who hassled in midfield and worked incredibly hard.
As a result, the hosts created the better chances and played some slick football.
Callum McGregor was isolated on the ball in midfield, despite Nygren and Arne Engels starting alongside him.
Collins believes the team also needs another athletic midfielder and a winger too.
“Engels has good games and very average games. Nygren comes in and out of games, and lacks consistency,” the former Celtic assistant said.
“One player who always wants the ball is Callum McGregor. Week in, week out he’s at a level. They’ve got to get more quality in the central area.”
Celtic’s next league game is a critical one away to Hearts, a match that will help define the destiny of the title.
If there are no new faces ready to go by then fans will be furious, never mind the much-loved O’Neill’s call for patience.
00:47
Media caption,
Martin O’Neill asks for patience in transfer news
What are the fans saying?
Peter: We were outplayed by a team that were in Championship last season. We need several new players. If O’Neill does not get them he should do what Brendan Rodgers did and walk away.
John: Poor performance. Continually we are told we need signings yet , as with windows recently, we watch for signings every day and so far we have one loan deal. Exasperating when we have a pile of money in the bank.
Alfie: Much much better but Martin knows we need quality players. Still not a solid team.
Davy: I cant believe how bad this Celtic team are. A very painful watch as a fan.
Nygren uses the head for vital three points
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2026/january/14/nygren-uses-the-head-for-vital-three-points-/
Match Report
By Joe Sullivan
Share
14 Jan 2026, 9:53 pm
Scottish Premiership
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
The Falkirk Stadium
FALKIRK…0
CELTIC…1
(Nygren 43)
Celtic took a massive three points on the road this evening, defeating Falkirk 1-0 in the biting cold at the Falkirk Stadium, with Benjamin Nygren grabbing his 12th goal of the season just before half time.
Celtic dominated the opening stages of the game, and were in control of the play, however, Falkirk began to show their top-six credentials and it wasn’t long before the match started to swing the way of the home side.
Their positive play encouraged the home fans to grow into the game themselves, and every minor infringement or dubious claim for a foul was met with a cacophony of noise inside the Falkirk Stadium.
John McGlynn’s men looked to launch crosses into the box at every opportunity, and twice they found themselves with goalscoring opportunities which the Hoops did well to clear.
Kasper Schmeichel was called in to action with just over 20 minutes gone when Filip Lissah struck a shot from distance which he got down to quickly.
Then came the home side’s best chance of the match so far, and one which Kyrell Wilson won’t want to see again. The Falkirk forward picked up on a ball which was launched forward and drove in to the box, rounding Schmeichel and leaving an open goal to shoot in to. But Wilson slipped at the pivotal moment, and the ball sailed high and wide of the target.
Celtic were being put under real pressure at this stage, and moments later, a lapse in concentration from Daizen Maeda resulted in a chance for Barney Stewart, but the Falkirk man’s effort from inside the box was straight at Schmeichel who made the save.
The Hoops, having weathered the storm, then found themselves with a big chance when an Arne Engels corner went deep to the back post and was headed goalward by Maeda, but former Celtic stopper Scott Bain, now plying his trade at Falkirk, produced an impressive one-handed save to keep the ball out.
With the half drawing to a close, Celtic found themselves with another corner, taken again by Engels though this time, the outcome was different, with Nygren getting on to the end of it and diverting it into the net, with Celtic’s leading scorer taking his goal tally for the season to 12 so far.
43%
Possession
57%
11
Shots
8
6
Shots On Target
2
3
Corners
4
8
Fouls
10
0
0
Cards
1
0
There were no changes for either side at the break but the same can’t be said for the officiating team, with referee John Beaton forced to take up the role as fourth official for the second half whilst Sean Murdoch was handed the whistle.
Celtic had the ball in the net early in the second period, though Maeda had clearly been caught in an offside position and the goal was ruled out.
With half-an-hour remaining, Martin O’Neill looked to his bench, replacing Sebastian Tounekti and Yang with Luke McCowan and Reo Hatate.
The home side, just like in the first 45 minutes, looked to create chances and put Celtic on the back foot, and on several occasions, Celtic had to be resolute in defence to keep their slender one-goal lead intact.
There was a further change for Celtic as the half progressed, with Engels replaced by Johnny Kenny as the Hoops looked to double their lead.
Kenny almost bagged the goal he has been searching for of late within seconds of his introduction when a clever pass from Nygren was picked up by Hatate and flashed in to the box, but the Falkirk defence were able to deal with the danger before Kenny could finish.
Schmeichel was once again called in to action when Williams found himself with a massive goalscoring opportunity, but the Celtic keeper produced a sensational save from point blank range to prevent the equaliser.
Falkirk: Bain, Lissah, Allan, Henderson, McCann, Spencer, Tait (Cartwright 74′), Wilson (Ross 78′), Yeats (Marsh 63′), Miller (Williams 78′), Stewart (Parkinson 63′)
Subs: Hogarth, Adams, Donaldson, Graham, Cartwright, Ross, Williams, Parkinson, Marsh
Celtic: Schmeichel, Araujo, Trusty, Scales, Tierney, Engels (Kenny 79′), McGregor, Nygren, Hyunjun Yang (McCowan 66′), Maeda, Tounekti (Hatate 66′)
Subs: Sinisalo, McCowan, Kenny, Paulo Bernardo, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Donovan, Ralston
Manager points to importance of winning goal
First Team
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2026/january/14/manager-points-to-importance-of-winning-goal/
By Joe Sullivan
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14 Jan 2026, 10:31 pm
Celtic pulled three points out of the bag in a tough encounter against an in-form Falkirk side, and Martin O’Neill paid tribute to John McGlynn’s side following the 90 minutes of action.
The home side created a fistful of chances, but unfortunate finishing and a gloveful of saves from Kasper Schmeichel ensured that Benjamin Nygren’s headed goal from a corner just before the break was the only goal of the game.
The Irishman said: “Delighted to win the game obviously, we didn’t play too well in the match.
“It was a struggle for long periods I must admit. I thought that Falkirk did very well in the game, but even so, we can play much better
“It’s a wee bit strange we’ve gone from playing brilliantly on Saturday to struggling tonight.
‘The goal was a big, big goal for us to get and we saw the game through.’
“But there’s lots of things for us to improve on that particular performance, and, tonight, winning was the most important thing.”
Dull Celtic show why Hearts and Rangers are in better place as ex-Hibs keeper takes whistle for ugly win
Mark Atkinson
By Mark Atkinson
Sports Editor
0Comment
Published 14th Jan 2026, 21:55 GMT
Updated 14th Jan 2026, 23:13 GMT
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Falkirk 0 Celtic 1
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Scrappy victory in Falkirk keeps Celtic on leaders’ tail
Similar to some of the Celtic wins during Martin O’Neill’s first caretaker spell, this was ugly. But right now points matter more than prettiness. The Premiership champions got the job done with a scrappy 1-0 victory at Falkirk.
With leaders Hearts showing no signs of letting up by beating St Mirren 2-0 despite playing loads of the match a man down, the very least that was required from Celtic was the whole loot from the Falkirk Stadium, a venue they had not visited since 2010.
A header from Benjamin Nygren just before half time was the difference. Celtic lacked a cutting edge in attack and this was another game that emphasised their pressing need for attacking reinforcements. Nygren’s winner came from a set-piece. There were precious few other moments of note for O’Neill’s charges.
With all three title contenders having played 22 games, Hearts sit top on 50 points, with Celtic and Rangers six points behind. Celtic moved above their Old Firm rivals on goal difference but it is the other half of Glasgow who have momentum – on and off the pitch.
Rangers’ run of form is stronger and they have already spent more than £7 million on two new players. With Danish winger Andreas Skov Olsen set to follow imminently, it is the Ibrox side making the statement of intent.
Celtic’s next league assignment is at Tynecastle a week on Sunday. As O’Neill pointed out before this game, they don’t have margin for error. On this performance, it is hard to envisage them prevailing in Gorgie. Fresh blood is a must. Falkirk had the better chances but could not take them. They remain sixth.
Celtic controlled the early stages without managing to penetrate the Falkirk defence. Both wingers in Yang Hyun-jun and Sebastian Tounekti saw plenty of the ball, but could not fashion an opening.
As a result, the Bairns grew into the match. Calvin Miller swung over a teasing free-kick that had no takers, while Barney Stewart and Filip Lissah had low strikes well fielded by Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel.
A much better opening fell to Falkirk’s Swansea City loanee Kyrell Wilson, who skinned Kieran Tierney when chasing down a ball over the top. He bore down on Schmeichel from an angle, rounded the keeper but with the goal gaping appeared to lose his footing and sliced the ball high and wide from a matter of yards out.
Stewart also passed up a presentable opportunity on the half-hour mark when Daizen Maeda, looking wholly uncomfortable as a No 9 being asked to drop deep, coughed up possession midway inside his own half. He was fortunate that the other striker on the pitch shot tamely at Schmeichel.
Maeda did have a chance of his own on 39 minutes when Arne Engels’ corner found him at the back post. The Japanese connected with the header strongly enough but it was too central and Scott Bain blocked.
Engels was at it again with another back-post delivery on 44 minutes and this time Celtic took full advantage. Bain and his defenders were static and from inside the six-yard box, Nygren glanced in his tenth goal of the Premiership campaign.
Neither side made a change at the interval – although we were treated to a rare occurrence, the replacement of the referee. The unfortunate whistler John Beaton had picked up an injury and was switched for his fourth official, former Hibs and Dunfermline keeper Sean Murdoch. This was his first time officiating a top-flight encounter.
Celtic played with more purpose after the break, looking for a second goal. Liam Scales failed to connect from close range from a dangerous Nygren cross on 53 minutes and while Maeda netted in the subsequent stramash, he was flagged offside.
Falkirk boss John McGlynn shuffled his pack just after the hour by bringing on new signings Ben Parkinson and Louie Marsh for their debuts. That move sparked a raft of changes from both teams that disrupted the flow of the match.
Celtic had morphed back into an unconvincing state and were indebted to Schmeichel for a big save on 80 minutes. Scales struggled to deal with a bouncing ball inside his penalty box and Ethan Williams nipped in. However, the 21-year-old on loan from Manchester United watched on in despair as the experienced Dane stuck out a foot to deny him.
Falkirk forced a flurry of stoppage-time corners that came to nothing. A relieved Celtic escaped with the win.
Martin O’Neill gives frank verdict on Celtic as new striker target enters frame
Mark Atkinson
By Mark Atkinson
Sports Editor
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Published 14th Jan 2026, 22:52 GMT
Updated 14th Jan 2026, 23:12 GMT
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O’Neill unimpressed by Celtic display in 1-0 win over Falkirk
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill once again stressed for the pressing need for extra firepower after watching his team labour to a 1-0 win over Falkirk.
Benjamin Nygren’s 44th-minute header landed the win to stay within six points of Premiership leaders Hearts but O’Neill was left unimpressed by the performance and said that he will “definitely” bring in new players during the winter transfer window.
A new No 9 remains Celtic’s priority. Wide forward Daizen Maeda led the line but the attack was blunt at the Falkirk Stadium. A slew of names have been linked with Celtic this month – the latest being 26-year-old Croatian striker Franko Kovacevic, who plays for Celje in Slovenia.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill at full time after the 1-0 win over Falkirk at Falkirk Stadium. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill at full time after the 1-0 win over Falkirk at Falkirk Stadium. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group
O’Neill was asked directly if he has looked at Kovacevic. “I’m probably sure I have done,” smiled O’Neill. “I’ve only looked at about four and a half thousand at this minute and that’s not bad given I’m only in a week. You can tell that we definitely need to get a centre forward.
“Young Johnny Kenny has done really fine in the games but I think it’s really harsh to put that kind of pressure on a young lad. We’re looking for help. I’m not diverting to your thing, but I’m just not answering you!
“But you know, I am trying. I know I haven’t done anything since yesterday but I am trying. We will definitely get people in.”
O’Neill was frank in his assessment of the match. “We didn’t play well in the game,” he said. “We saw it through and we can play much, much better.
“It just seems strange in a contrast where we were so good on Saturday and tentative tonight and lost the ball in areas where we shouldn’t have been doing it.
“Overall, I think Falkirk would have found themselves really unlucky to be behind at half-time in the game. I thought we pressed a bit better in the second half, but overall, we didn’t play well in the game.
“I thought we seemed devoid of that real, real energy that is necessary. Obviously, I am delighted to have won the game because we will play better.”
Celtic were indebted to their goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who made a match-winning save from Ethan Williams towards the end of the game with his foot. The stop ensured Celtic’s sixth league clean sheet in a row under O’Neill across his two spells.
“Kasper makes a great save for us, a really, really great save, which he has been doing all his life, in all honesty,” added O’Neill. “Particularly when his dad was here tonight. Great. So, there you are, emulating the father. Can’t be bad.”
Falkirk manager John McGlynn believed his team merited more from the match.
“Never mind a Falkirk fan, any neutral would have said we deserved to take something from the game,” lamented McGlynn. “I thought we were the better team in the first half and created some really good opportunities.
“We were gutted to go in a goal down. I can’t remember a game against Celtic where our goalkeeper was so quiet.
“Usually they are keeping the score down. I thought Schmeichel made an amazing save. I was waiting for the ball to hit the back of the net. He has been criticised of late but he earned the points for Celtic tonight.
“I am gutted for the boys but at the same time we can take a lot of confidence from the performance.”
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