Martin O’Neill’s Celtic resurgence continued with an unconvincing but decisive 1-0 victory over stubborn Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership.
Benjamin Nygren’s 10th league goal of the season was enough for the Hoops to secure victory, keeping them six points clear of leaders Hearts and level with old rivals Rangers.
The Bairns made the most of their early chances but were unable to capitalize on their confident pressing play.
Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who has been widely criticized this season, made a great save late on to deny Ethan Williams an equalizer and deny mistakes from defenders Auston Trusty and Liam Scales.
Hearts’ win over St Mirren improved O’Neill’s 100 per cent domestic record this season and kept the pressure on in this season’s exciting title race.
Not persuasive, but important
Benjamin Nygren (left) is Celtic’s top scorer this season
Celtic had to survive a hot first half and a late scare to emerge from Falkirk Stadium with their second clean sheet in two games since O’Neill was given the task of saving Celtic’s season after a tumultuous month under Wilfried Nancy.
In the early minutes, Daenen Maeda got behind the Falkirk defense and sent a header wide of the target, but the home team soon gained the upper hand.
They looked compact when not in possession, encouraging Celtic’s mistakes and moving forward quickly to put some dangerous balls into the visitors’ box.
The opportunities continued. Striker Bernie Stewart scored twice, but his shots lacked power and precision, which troubled Kasper Schmeichel, who had scored in Falkirk’s last win over Celtic in 2007.
Finn Yates looked to take the ball away as he looked set for a header, but Filip Risser forced Schmeichel into a save.
Falkirk’s Bernie Stewart (C) had a first-half chance saved by Schmeichel.
The hosts’ best chance of the first half came when Kyrell Wilson made a tempo run down the right, cut inside Kieran Tierney and rounded the Celtic goalkeeper, but he lost his balance and just as it looked like he was going to score, his shot went wide.
Another quick counter attack was wasted as Leon McCann fired a shot wide of the target at a teammate in the box.
Celtic managed to stem the tide late in the first half, but Falkirk were booked when Maeda allowed an unmarked header from Arne Engels’ far-post corner. Former Celtic goalkeeper Scott Bain made a good stop.
The opening goal came from an almost identical shot as Nygren nodded home from three yards out in a crowded goalmouth.
Referee Sean Murdoch makes Premiership debut after John Beaton’s injury
The only change at half-time was in the match official department, with injured referee John Beaton replaced by fourth official Sean Murdoch.
It was a fairly easy mission for the substitute referee in a tight second period when clear chances were at a premium.
The Bairns had one golden chance to tie the game when the ball bounced and fell to Ethan Williams eight yards out. Schmeichel spread out and blocked the substitute’s shot with his feet.
Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel denied Ethan Williams’ equalizer
Celtic’s sub Reo Hatate made a mistake with a kick from a late chance, putting the game in jeopardy.
But Falkirk’s hopes were ultimately snuffed out in stoppage time when two consecutive corners were over-hit after Schmeichel had dealt with Conor Allan’s header.
“A bitter old night”
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Martin O’Neill admits it was a tough night for Celtic in their win over Falkirk and says the club are looking to bring in new players
Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill told Sky Sports News:
“It was a really, really tough night for us. I thought Falkirk played really well and had some great chances in the first half.
“We were lucky to go into half-time 1-0 and I thought we got a little bit better in the second half, but there were still some skirmishes here and there midway through the second half.
“I’m happy to win the game and that’s the most important thing, but we can do better.
“I thought maybe there was a little bit of nerves. Chasing points, we couldn’t afford to make mistakes. I think that probably crept into our game.”
Regarding transfers, O’Neill added: “We want to bring in some players, there’s no question about that.”
“I know it’s already mid-January, but I’m very, very hopeful that we can do it.
“We basically always play a lot of games with the same players, so it’s almost like replenishing the team. Maybe it was just that, maybe we just lacked a little bit of energy.”
“In that sense, we still have some time. We have a cup match coming up, so I want to focus on that.
“In the meantime, we’re going to look at a few things. We’re hopeful that some acquisition will happen at some stage.”
McGlynn thinks positively.
Falkirk manager John McGlynn wants his players to have more faith.
Falkirk manager John McGlynn told Sky Sports News:
“We have to look at how we played and take confidence from that.
“We have to have more belief and the players have to believe in themselves.
“I think we were really, really good.
“We’re not getting results, but we’re playing like that against teams like that. We’re going to turn these into draws and draws into wins against them.”
