A brace from Camilo Duran saw Celtic take all three points at Parkhead on Saturday afternoon.
Celtic were quick to attack. A mistake from Scott Bain gave Camilo Duran the chance to score into an open goal and put the hosts ahead after five minutes with a clean shot into the bottom left corner.
Initially called offside, a short VAR check gave Falkirk hope that the goal wouldn’t stand. Unfortunately the on-field decision was overturned and Celtic took the lead.
Just before the half hour mark Finley Barbrook took his chance from just outside the area, he saw his effort go wide but it was Falkirk’s first chance of the match.
Celtic immediately provided a response to Barbrook’s attempt. Kieran Tierney broke through the Falkirk defence and crossed it to Duran, giving the Colombian forward the opportunity to send it past Bain and score his second of the match.
There wasn’t much to report at the start of the second half. Bain was tested on multiple occasions but was able to deny Celtic any further goals.
Falkirk managed to win a goal back with just over 15 minutes to go. New signings Conor McLeod and Jacob Murrell worked together as McLeod burst through the Celtic defence, feeding the ball to Murrell who made sure the ball reached the back of the net.
Unfortunately Falkirk were unable to find an equaliser before full time, and walk away from Parkhead without any points.
Falkirk next play at home on Wednesday night, where they will face Rangers under the lights at The Falkirk Stadium.
TEAM INFORMATION:
CELTIC XI: Viljami Sinisalo, Liam Scales, Benjamin Nygren, Camilo Duran (5’, 29’), Hyunjun Yang, Cameron Carter-Vickers ©, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mika Baur, Haissem Hassan, Colby Donovan, Kieran Tierney.
BENCH: Ross Doohan, Auston Trusty, Luke McCowan, Sebastian Tounekti, Callum Osmand, Johnny Kenny, Dane Murray, James Forrest, Liam Kennedy.
MANAGER: Martin O’Neill.
FALKIRK XI: Scot Bain, Leon McCann, Liam Henderson, Ben Parkinson, Brad Spencer ©, Lewis Neilson, Finley Barbrook, Ryan Strain, Ethan Ross, Ben Krauhaus, CJ Fodrey.
BENCH: Nicky Hogarth, Jack McMillan, Coll Donaldson, Ross MacIver, Scott Tanser, Deniss Melniks, Jacob Murrell (72’), Conor McLeod, Aodhan Doherty.
MANAGER: John McGlynn.
REFEREE: Chris Graham
Match Report by Lois Smillie
Cover Image by Ruby Adam
