Match Pictures | Matches: 2026 – 2027
Trivia
- KO: 15:00; Saturday, Celtic TV
- Celtic on top on 9pts +6GD; Radio Scotland commentators stating they expecting Celtic, Hearts then Sevco for the three top places this season, as Sevco having a disastrous start to the season (knocked out the Conference Lge playoffs in somewhat shock result), humiliating result.
- McGregor out with stomach cramp, Hogh also out injured.
- McCowan booed by minority when subbed on, it was a disgrace but did get show of support from others. He had a nightmare performance in midweek past and has had to take brunt of the flak unfairly.
- The morning after the night before with Celtic having been knocked out of Champs Lge playoffs after embarrassing collapse to LASK!
- Osman out crocked again.
- Celtic hit with a Scottish Cup stadium closure by the SFA after events at the quarter-final against Sevco last season. Celtic respond and will reply further after fuller details given.
- Uefa preparing criminal legal proceedings against Fifa president Gianni Infantino over the now scrapped plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup and its other competitions to private investors.
- Michel-Ange Balikwisha officially joined KAA Gent on loan from Celtic. The deal includes an option to buy.
- Reports:
- Benjamin Tahirovic, linked with Celtic earlier this summer and in January, is nearing a move to Genk – seemingly ruling the Belgian side out as a potential destination for Niko Sigur.
- Celtic’s asking price for Japan midfielder Reo Hatate apparently dropped.
- Balikwisha loaned out to Genk for season with option to buy
- Denis Adamov, Russian goalkeeper linked with Celtic.
- PSV Boss Drops Major Van den Berg Celtic Hint Jong PSV coach Stijn Schaars addressed Joël van den Berg’s absence as Celtic were reportedly in Eindhoven, with talks over the midfielder said to be under way.
Summary
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill tells BBC Scotland: “Delighted to win the game. The exertions and disappointment of Tuesday night, have to overcome that and travel back.
“The physical and psychological aspects of it all were big concerns today. Falkirk caused us umpteen problems in the game here last season.
“We created a lot of really good chances, but at 2-0 it’s still on a knife edge. They get the goal and then the las5 15 minutes become a worrying time when perhaps it shouldn’t have been.
“We go again on Wednesday and we’ll see how the players are. A lot of the players that played on Tuesday started to flag a little bit and it’s early season – the players are still getting up to speed.
“[Camilo Duran] played here [at Celtic Park] against LASK on the right-hand side and then it was seamless him moving to centre-forward. He was fantastic and he has been since he set foot in the football club.
“Hassan will cause problems in the final third. I think he will be terrific for us. I was delighted with his performance.
“Kieran [Tierney] I thought had cramp, but it wasn’t. It looks similar to Kasper [Hogh]. I’m not sure at this minute – I need to find out from the medical staff how that is.
“I’m still really hopeful we can do something [in the transfer market]. If we want to defend our title and get something in the Europa League we need a bit more strength in depth. I think that’s pretty obvious.”
Social media:
- Misc: Osmand came on and looked really impressive Mccowan sorry to say is finished at Celtic . 20 seconds before full time giving the ball away in such a dangerous area shows you he’s shot of all ability and confidence
- As you all know, everyone on this Channel loves the energy & passion Fozzy brings to the team but he was distinctly lowkey after today’s Celtic – Falkirk game, performing perfunctory handshakes rather than the usual hugs & kisses. Perhaps a hangover from the LASK result?
- AJ long-term hamstring last season, then out again this Osmond long-term hamstring then left on crutches today Half the team look unfit & KT still can last 60 minutes Bad luck or issues at Lennoxtown?
- Green Brigade “World Class Embarrassment” banner – in response to Tuesday’s disastrous CL qualifier defeat against LASK, with their name now added to the ever-growing hall of shame.
- Weird game, Nygren didn’t have his usual goal and should have 3 or 4. Baur good, Donovan good (yeah I know og) and Oxlade was decent. Duran is our best player by miles and miles. Hassan looks like a serious footballer but nowhere near full speed. Celtic winning is always good.
- Ryan @bhoyswillbebhoys.bsky.social · 19h FT thoughts: Baur reminds me of Beram Kayal. Head on a swivel, great work rate. Duran proved he should be played as striker, not a winger. 3 pts but a bad performance. Nygren had a stinker. And if you booed Luke McCowan, go….
Teams
Celtic
Manager: Martin O’Neill
Formation: 4 – 2 – 3 – 1
Starting lineup
01, V. Sinisalo
63, K. Tierney, subbed for A. Trusty at 70 mins
05, L. Scales
20, C. Carter-Vickers (c), Captain
51, C. Donovan,45’+2, Yellow Card at 45 mins plus 2
21, A. Oxlade-Chamberlain, subbed for L. McCowan at 78 mins
22, M. Baur
13, Yang Hyun-Jun, subbed for S. Tounekti at 78 mins
08, B. Nygren
23, Haissem Hassan, subbed for J. Forrest at 63 mins
11, C Durran, subbed for Osman 70 mins
Subs:
31, R. Doohan
49, J. Forrest
62, L. Kennedy
24, J. Kenny
14, L. McCowan
47, D. Murray
19, C. Osmand
17, S. Tounekti
06, A. Trusty
Goals:
C. Durán (4′, 29′)
Assists:
K. Tierney (29′)
Falkirk
Manager: John McGlynn
Formation: 04 – 2 – 3 – 1
Starting lineup
19, S. Bain
03, L. McCann,44′, Yellow Card at 44 mins, subbed for S. Tanser at 69 mins
05, L. Henderson
15, L. Neilson,35′, Yellow Card at 35 mins
22, R. Strain
08, B. Spencer (c), Captain
16, F. Barbrook
99, C. Fodrey, subbed for A. Doherty at 69 mins
28, B. Krauhaus, subbed for D. Meļņiks at 78 mins
23, E. Ross, subbed for C. McLeod at 69 mins
07, B. Parkinson, subbed for J. Murrell at 60 mins
Subs:
47, A. Doherty,82′, Yellow Card at 82 mins
06, C. Donaldson
01, N. Hogarth
09, R. MacIver
27, C. McLeod,77′, Yellow Card at 77 mins
04, J. McMillan
21, D. Meļņiks
24, J. Murrell
17, S. Tanser
Goals:
C. Donovan (72′ og)Own Goal 72 minutes
Assists:
Match Officials
Referee: Chris Graham
Video Assistant Referee: Greg Aitken
Assistant Referee 1: Dougie Potter
Assistant Referee 2: David Dunne
Fourth Official: Alastair Grieve
Assistant VAR Official: Sean Carr
Att:
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Basic Stats
Overall possession
Celtic 55.8%
Falkirk 44.2%
Shots
Celtic 19
Falkirk 5
Shots on target
Celtic 8
Falkirk 1
Total touches inside the opposition box
Celtic 26
Falkirk 13
CEL
FAL
Goalkeeper saves
Celtic 1
Falkirk 6
Aerial duels won
Celtic 15
Falkirk 9
Fouls committed
Celtic 7
Falkirk 14
Corners
Celtic 6
Falkirk 3
In-depth match stats
Attack
Shots
Celtic 19
Falkirk 5
Shots on target
Celtic 8
Falkirk 1
Shots off target
Celtic 7
Falkirk 3
Attempts out of box
Celtic 6
Falkirk 2
Total offsides
Celtic 2
Falkirk 3
Distribution
Total passes
Celtic 583
Falkirk 459
Pass accuracy %
Celtic 90.6
Falkirk 84.5
Backward passes
Celtic 98
Falkirk 68
Forward passes
Celtic 161
Falkirk 144
Total long balls
Celtic 33
Falkirk 55
Successful final third passes
Celtic 110
Falkirk 48
Total crosses
Celtic 23
Falkirk 16
Defence
Total tackles
Celtic 13
Falkirk 15
Won tackle %
Celtic 92.3
Falkirk 46.7
Fouls committed
Celtic 7
Falkirk 14
Total yellow cards
Celtic 1
Falkirk 4
Total clearances
Celtic 21
Falkirk 18
Pre Match Facts
Benjamin Nygren has scored in both of his Scottish Premiership games this season. The last players to score in each of Celtic’s first three matches of a league campaign were both James Forrest and Scott Sinclair in 2016-17.
Falkirk have lost each of their last 13 league games against reigning Scottish champions by an aggregate score of 39-4 since a 1-0 win over Celtic in March 2007.
In their last league outing against Kilmarnock, Celtic fired in 33 shots, the most by any side in a single Scottish Premiership game since Rangers against Kilmarnock in May 2024 (41), and the Hoops’ most in a league fixture since December 2023 (38 v Dundee).
Kasper Høgh is the only player to have attempted 10+ shots in the Scottish Premiership this season (13), scoring a hat-trick against Kilmarnock last time out. He had nine shots in that game alone, the most by a Celtic player in a single league match since Liel Abada’s 10 against St. Johnstone in December 2021.
Articles
…
O’Neill would rather Celtic had no fans at Ibrox than 300
Celtic manager Martin O’NeillImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Martin O’Neill was pleased to bounce back from Celtic’s Champions League exit with a Premiership win over Falkirk
ByMartin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Published
29 August 2026
Highlights: Celtic v Falkirk
29/08/26
Watch on iPlayer
ByGeorge O’Neill
BBC Sport Scotland
Martin O’Neill says Celtic “might as well not get any” tickets after Rangers offered 300 for the sides’ League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox next month.
Rangers confirmed the allocation on Friday hours after the Scottish FA announced both clubs would have to play their next Scottish Cup home games behind closed doors.
The sanctions followed crowd disorder after Celtic’s win on penalties in last season’s Scottish Cup quarter-final win on penalties at Ibrox, when around 8,000 visiting supporters had been present.
That figure was about four times as many away fans that had attended recent Premiership meetings of Celtic and Rangers, with the ticketing rules different for Scottish Cup games.
“We might as well not get any, if that’s the case,” said O’Neill after Celtic’s 2-1 Premiership win over Falkirk.
“Just looking at it from a personal viewpoint, it’s one of the great fixtures. Even if the teams are not of the standard of, let’s say, Paris St-Germain or Real Madrid, it is still a fantastic fixture.
“And you honestly don’t realise how big it is in European games and in the world. People talk about it as a great game. And the best atmosphere is when the away fans have their allocation.
“So, that’s a shame. But very obviously, if they’re going to give us 300 tickets, I would rather say, ‘no’. And we’ll give them one.”
Celtic salve Euro wounds with narrow win over Falkirk
‘Unexpected’ show of support
Fan discontent over Celtic’s calamitous Champions League play-off exit to LASK was writ large at Parkhead on Saturday in a banner bearing the message ‘World Class Embarrassment’, yet the overall mood was more supportive than sour. Much to O’Neill’s surprise.
Celtic got the job done with a Camilo Duran double against Falkirk, although Colby Donovan’s own goal ensured a nervy final 20 minutes. It wasn’t the prettiest of victories, but it was crucial.
“As we got off the bus, the crowd actually cheered us, which was unexpected and something that we probably didn’t deserve. I was really pleased,” said O’Neill.
Midfielder Luke McCowan, a whipping boy on social media over his performance in Linz, was welcomed off the bench against Falkirk with an ovation.
“I thought the fans were good today,” former Celtic captain Scott Brown told BBC Scotland.
“I liked what they did when McCowan came on. They are the real fans, going to games, not sitting behind keyboards.
“It’s disrespectful, that. Luke has had to delete his Instagram or Twitter and he shouldn’t need to do that. It’s part and parcel of football, having a good game and a bad game.
“I know he will be hurting, but it takes a strong character to come back and get on with what he does. Luke did well when he came on. He’s a huge Celtic fan and always wants to do his best for Celtic.”
Celtic fans during the 2-1 win over Falkirk Image source, SNS
Image caption,
A fan banner listed Celtic’s qualifying failures of recent years
O’Neill seeks reinforcements – what do Celtic need?
The Champions League exit exposed squad deficiencies O’Neill is eager to address before the transfer deadline on Thursday (17:00 BST)
“I’m still really hopeful we can do something [in the transfer market],” he told BBC Scotland post-match.
“If we want to defend our title and get something in the Europa League we need a bit more strength in depth. I think that’s pretty obvious.”
There’s been long-held concern at left-back. Kieran Tierney is influential but struggles to complete games and there is no obvious alternative after Marcelo Saracchi’s exit.
O’Neill confirmed Tierney picked up another injury issue against Falkirk with the extent of that unclear.
Former skipper Brown believes Celtic will “bring in another left-back and maybe another centre-half” and says Arne Engels’ departure to West Ham has left a sizeable gap.
“I think they need a powerhouse in the middle of the park, especially in Europe,” Brown added.
“Someone like Engels with his energy and legs. They need that physicality, they missed that against LASK and got bullied all over the park.
“They will be out there looking to do their best in the market and will have a few pounds to spend. Martin will be pushing the board as much as he possibly can.”
Durán double gets Celtic back to winning ways
First Team
By Matthew Campbell
Share
29 Aug 2026, 5:06 pm
Scottish Premiership
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Celtic Park
CELTIC…2
(Durán 4 & 29)
FALKIRK…1
(Donovan OG 72)
A first-half brace from Camilo Durán was enough to earn Celtic three points at home against Falkirk this afternoon, though the visitors made it a nervy finish by pulling a goal back midway through the second half.
Celtic got off to the perfect start when, just four minutes in, a long ball over the top of the Falkirk defence from Cameron Carter-Vickers was fumbled by Falkirk keeper Scott Bain on the edge of the box.
Camilo Durán pounced on the loose ball and found the back of the net, though the celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s offside flag. After a VAR review, however, the goal was given and the Hoops found themselves 1-0 ahead.
Ten minutes later, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fired a shot at goal from 30 yards out which flew through a pack of bodies inside the visitors’ penalty area. This time, former Celtic keeper, Bain made a good diving save down to his left.
Just shy of the half-hour mark, Camilo Durán added the finishing touch to a nice attacking move to double Celtic’s lead.
Yang started the attack with a ball down the left wing which Kieran Tierney chased. Tierney used his pace to pull away from the pursuing Falkirk defender and fired a brilliant ball in to the box which Camilo Durán ran on to and blasted in to the back of the net to make it 2-0 and grab his second goal of the afternoon.
Benjamin Nygren, who has already bagged four goals so far this season, went close to making it 3-0 just moments later, but his powerful strike from inside the area rose high over the bar.
The chances kept coming for Celtic, with Mika Baur and Benjamin Nygren both drawing good saves from Scott Bain. The crisp, fast, attacking play that led to those chances was well worthy of the rapturous applause that followed from the Celtic Park faithful.
On the verge of half-time, Viljami Sinisalo prevented a goalscoring opportunity for Ethan Ross with a brave piece of goalkeeping as he dived and punched the ball clear just before Ross had a chance to strike at goal.
56%
Possession
44%
19
Shots
5
8
Shots On Target
1
6
Corners
3
7
Fouls
14
1
0
Cards
4
0
The visitors worked the first opportunity of the second half when Ben Parkinson, with his back to goal, showed real quality to control Ryan Strain’s powerful cross into the box, swivel and take a strike, however his effort sailed over the crossbar.
Benjamin Nygren should have made it 3-0 just moments later when he was picked out in the box by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlian, but Scott Bain produced a good stop to put the ball behind for a corner.
With an hour gone, Martin O’Neill made his first substitution, bringing James Forrest on for Haissem Hassan, who received a brilliant reception from the Celtic support after an impressive display on his first start for the club this afternoon.
There were further changes for the Hoops soon after, with Kieran Tierney and Camilo Durán making way for Auston Trusty and Callum Osmand.
Falkirk pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute in fortuitous circumstances. Conor McLeod sent a through ball to Jacob Murrell, whose shot was saved by Viljami Sinisalo, but the rebound was diverted in to the net by Colby Donovan, who could do nothing to get out the way of the ball.
With a little over 10 minutes remaining, Martin O’Neill made his final changes of the afternoon, bringing Luke McCowan and Sebastian Tounekti on for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Yang.
Benjamin Nygren went close once again with 84 minutes played, firing a shot towards goal after some good footwork to open up an opportunity, but with numbers behind the ball, the Falkirk defence were able to block the effort before it troubled the keeper.
Both sides hunted for another goal, but the Hoops were able to see their one-goal advantage through to the final whistle, and the Bhoys will now turn their attention to Wednesday night’s match against Aberdeen at Paradise.
Celtic: Sinisalo, Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney (Trusty 70′), Baur, Oxlade-Chamberlain (McCowan 78′), Haissem Hassan (Forrest 63′), Nygren, Hyunjun Yang (Tounekti 78′), Durán (Osmand 70′)
Subs: Trusty, McCowan, Tounekti, Osmand, Kenny, Doohan, Murray, Forrest, Kennedy
Falkirk: Bain, Strain, Neilson, Henderson, McCann (Tanser 69′), Barbrook, Spencer, Ross (McLeod 69′), Krauhaus (Melniks 78′), Fodrey (Doherty 69′), Parkinson (Murrell 60′)
Subs: Hogarth, McMillan, Donaldson, MacIver, Tanser, Melniks, Murrell, McLeod, Doherty
Manager: It was important to get back to winning ways
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2026/august/29/manager–it-was-important-to-get-back-to-winning-ways/
First Team
By Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor
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29 Aug 2026, 5:55 pm
Celtic made it three league wins out of three with a 2-1 victory over Falkirk at home, courtesy of two goals from Camilo Duran.
And after a tough week for the team, Martin O’Neill was pleased to see his side return to winning ways.
Speaking to CelticPlayer after the game, the Celtic manager said: “The win was the most important thing, it always is.
“It was a tough week for everyone connected to the football club, not just us, but the people who pay their money to come and support us, and we let them down on Tuesday. So we’re absolutely delighted to have won the game.
“We played some really, really lovely stuff at times and we could have been out of sight by half-time, a nd we missed some really glorious chances to put the game beyond them.
“I felt at 2-0, Falkirk were never out of the game, as it proved, and when they scored the goal, it was a tough 15 minutes for us.
“It’s been a tough old week, so it’s good to win the game. It’s the most important thing for us, and we’ll get better.”
And the Celtic manager was also delighted with Camilo Duran’s goalscoring exploits, with the Colombian forward playing through the middle in the absence of Kasper Hogh and scoring both goals on the day.
“He’s a terrific footballer,” Martin O’Neill said. “I think he’s a natural forward, but he’s drifted there when Kasper has played centre-forward, and Kasper gives you probably that physical strength as well too.
“Also, Kasper is a goalscorer in and around the penalty area, but Camilo’s just a dream to work with.
“His English is getting better, but all we just keep saying to him, ‘son, you’re brilliant’.”
Camilo Durán: Post-match reaction on CelticPlayer
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2026/august/29/camilo-dur-n–post-match-reaction-on-celticplayer/
First Team
By Matthew Campbell
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29 Aug 2026, 6:03 pm
Camilo Durán took his goal tally to five for the season so far with a brace in today’s match against Falkirk at Celtic Park.
The Colombian was on hand to react to a dropped ball from Falkirk keeper Scott Bain for his first goal, before finishing off a well-worked attacking move from close range to add his name to the scoresheet once again.
Today’s victory was the perfect response to the disappointment of Tuesday night’s defeat in Austria and, speaking to CelticPlayer after today’s match, Camilo Durán reflected on the importance of the win for the Hoops.
“We had a good game here at home.” Durán said. “We come off the back of a poor result, so we needed a good response and that’s what we had.
“After the result during the week, we had to lift our heads and kick on. Now we need to rest and focus on the next game.”