Benjamin Nygren kept Celtic’s title chase alive as Martin O’Neill’s side survived a serious Falkirk scare to climb into second place.
The Hoops were far from fluent at the Falkirk Stadium but Nygren’s header just before the break proved enough to secure a gritty 1-0 win. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t comfortable, but it was priceless as Celtic piled the pressure on league leaders Hearts.
Schmeichel Steps Up When It Matters
Kasper Schmeichel has taken plenty of stick this season, but when Celtic needed him most, the veteran keeper delivered. His stunning point-blank save from Ethan Williams late on was every bit as important as the goal at the other end.
Nineteen years on from being part of the Celtic side shocked by Falkirk, the Dane turned villain into hero. Without his trademark spread-eagle stop, O’Neill’s revival could have taken a serious dent.
Nygren’s Sucker Punch
Falkirk had more than matched Celtic for large spells of the first half and should have made their pressure count. Instead, they were punished in ruthless fashion just before the interval.
An Arne Engels corner found Nygren lurking at the back post and the Swede made no mistake, nodding home a goal that completely changed the mood inside the stadium.
Celtic Still Look Fragile
Despite the win, there was little to suggest Celtic are the finished article under O’Neill. Falkirk repeatedly caused problems, with the Hoops struggling to cope when put under sustained pressure.
The back four looked vulnerable and the midfield lacked bite, especially when Falkirk pushed men forward. O’Neill may have steadied the ship, but there are still worrying cracks.
Brave Bairns Fall Short
John McGlynn’s side will be left wondering how they didn’t take something from the game. Tyrell Wilson, Barney Stewart and Calvin Miller all passed up excellent chances.
It was a harsh lesson in Premiership ruthlessness, but Falkirk’s performance will give them real belief they can push on and challenge for a top-six finish.
O’Neill’s Experience Makes the Difference
The Celtic boss won’t be fooled by the result. He saw danger coming, made changes, and leaned on his experience to get his side through another awkward night.
O’Neill is keeping Celtic in the fight, but he knows reinforcements are needed. The hard work continues, but for now, the Hoops march on.
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
