Celtic Move Into Second With Convincing Win Over Falkirk

Celtic Park was alive with anticipation on February 1, 2026, as Celtic hosted Falkirk in a pivotal Matchday 24 clash in the Scottish Premiership. The stakes were clear: following Rangers’ dropped points earlier in the day, Celtic had the chance to leapfrog their Glasgow rivals into second place and close the gap on league leaders Hearts. With the atmosphere inside the stadium charged—both by on-pitch ambitions and off-pitch controversies—fans were treated to a contest that delivered drama, intensity, and a glimpse into the club’s evolving identity under Martin O’Neill.

The match began with both teams eager to assert themselves. Celtic, under the stewardship of the returning Martin O’Neill, started with a familiar 4-3-3 formation: Kasper Schmeichel in goal; a backline of J Araujo, D Murray, L Scales, and Kieran Tierney; a midfield trio of Arne Engels, Callum McGregor, and Benjamin Nygren; and an attack featuring Hyun-Jun Yang, Daizen Maeda, and Tomas Cvancara. Falkirk, managed by John McGlynn, responded with a 4-2-3-1 setup, looking to spring surprises through the pace and guile of players like Barney Stewart and Calvin Miller.

Early exchanges saw Falkirk threaten, with Barney Stewart forcing Schmeichel into a sharp save, and Louie Marsh testing the Celtic defense. However, Celtic soon found their rhythm, dominating possession—holding up to 70% in the opening stages—and probing for an opening. Fans’ nerves were evident, especially as frustrations from a turbulent transfer window and ongoing disputes between the board and supporters simmered in the stands. The Green Brigade’s section displayed a tifo reading ‘Banish the traitors, end the bans,’ a pointed message directed at the club hierarchy, while chants of support for O’Neill and calls for the board’s resignation rang out.

Despite the tense backdrop, Celtic’s quality began to shine. As the first half wound down, the breakthrough finally arrived. In the 40th minute, Kieran Tierney whipped in a precise cross from the left, and Tomas Cvancara—making his home debut after joining on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach—timed his run perfectly to glance a powerful header off the inside of Scott Bain’s post and into the net. It was Cvancara’s first goal for the club, and it punctured the growing anxiety among the Parkhead faithful. The stadium erupted, and O’Neill’s name echoed around the stands. “I thought we had them for a while,” Falkirk boss John McGlynn admitted. “It went quiet, it was quite toxic. But then they scored within that moment. Celtic then took over and we had to survive. When Celtic scored the fans all got a lift from that.”

Falkirk, to their credit, didn’t wilt. They emerged from the break with renewed intent, Calvin Miller flashing a shot just wide and Connor Allan drawing another save from Schmeichel. Celtic, however, weathered the storm and began to reassert control. In the 61st minute, a slick exchange between captain Callum McGregor and Benjamin Nygren unlocked Falkirk’s defense. Nygren, Celtic’s standout Swedish winger, received the return pass and unleashed a curling left-footed strike into the top corner—his 16th goal in all competitions this season, cementing his status as the club’s top scorer. The goal gave Celtic breathing room and effectively ended Falkirk’s hopes of a comeback.

The second goal shifted the tempo decisively. Celtic controlled 51% of possession after the break, dictating play and frustrating Falkirk’s attempts to find a way back. Substitutions followed: O’Neill brought on James Forrest for Yang Hyun-Jun, Reo Hatate and Sebastian Tounekti for Cvancara and Engels, and later Kelechi Iheanacho and Stephen Welsh for Tierney and Maeda. Falkirk responded with changes of their own, including Aidan Nesbitt for Calvin Miller and Brian Graham for Barney Stewart, seeking fresh legs and a spark in attack.

There were still moments of drama. Celtic thought they had a third when Sebastian Tounekti found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside against Maeda in the buildup. Schmeichel, ever vigilant, denied Falkirk late on, pushing away a sharp effort from substitute Brian Graham to preserve his clean sheet. The final whistle after four minutes of added time confirmed a 2-0 victory for Celtic—a result that moved them into second place, level on points with Rangers but ahead on goals scored. Both Glasgow giants now trailed Hearts by six points, keeping the title race very much alive.

The match statistics underscored Celtic’s efficiency. Despite Falkirk registering more shots, it was the hosts’ clinical finishing and Schmeichel’s key saves that made the difference. The defensive solidity and midfield control were complemented by the attacking verve of Nygren and the timely contributions of new faces like Cvancara.

Off the pitch, however, questions lingered. Celtic’s transfer activity—or perceived lack thereof—remained a point of contention. O’Neill addressed the speculation post-match, confirming imminent arrivals: “I think they’ve either done their medicals or are about to do them, so that helps us a little bit,” he said regarding Joel Mvuka from Lorient and Junior Adamu from Freiburg. “You never know, there might be something else before Monday evening at 11 o’clock. And then you won’t be able to ask me on Tuesday, which will be the biggest relief of all time.”

Speculation also swirled around midfielder Arne Engels, reportedly a target for Nottingham Forest. O’Neill was quick to quash rumors: “I genuinely know nothing about that and I would not want to lose him.” The ongoing rift between the board and supporters, laid bare by the day’s chants and banners, added another layer of complexity to the club’s narrative.

For Falkirk, the defeat was a setback, but their performance—brave, organized, and at times threatening—showed why they remain in the playoff hunt. Calvin Miller’s influence on the left was notable, and the visitors’ resilience kept the match competitive deep into the second half.

As the dust settled, Celtic could reflect on a job well done. The result keeps them firmly in the title chase, with momentum building and new signings on the horizon. The Parkhead faithful, while divided over boardroom matters, left the stadium buoyed by a professional performance and the promise of more to come as the season’s decisive weeks approach.