Celtic secured a 3-1 triumph over Falkirk at Celtic Park, pulling level on points with league leaders Hearts and tightening the race for the Scottish Premiership crown. Martin O'Neill's side made the most of the occasion, using the match as a platform to apply pressure on their title rivals ahead of the crucial Sunday fixtures involving Rangers and Hearts.
The Japanese forward Daizen Maeda and left‑back Kieran Tierney delivered two first‑half goals that punished Falkirk for squandering several clear chances. Maeda opened the scoring by exploiting a sloppy touch from Keelan Adams on the halfway line, sprinting onto the ball and slotting a composed finish past goalkeeper Nicky Hogarth. Just before the break, Tierney surged forward, met a swift cross and hammered home his sixth league goal of the season, extending Celtic's lead to 2-0. Falkirk, who sit in sixth place and are now facing a steep climb toward a European qualification spot, managed to pull one back in the second half.
Substitute Kyrell Wilson received a long ball from Leon McCann, controlled it on his chest and unleashed a spectacular half‑volley that curled into the top corner from a tight angle, giving the visitors a glimmer of hope. Wilson continued to menace the Celtic defence, but the lead was restored seven minutes from full‑time when Maeda struck again, tapping in a rebound after a well‑timed cut‑back from Sebastian Tounekti.
The goal marked Maeda's third in two matches and his first in 17 games, signalling a return to the form that earned him last season's Player of the Year award. The win represents Celtic's fourth consecutive victory as they head into the final four games of the season with the ambition of defending their title.
O'Neill praised his team's resilience, noting the adversity they have faced through injuries and a demanding schedule. "Daizen Maeda was phenomenal today… I thought he was tremendous," the manager said. "The result was the most important thing, and the character the squad has shown is undeniable." Falkirk, meanwhile, entered the match after a difficult weekend that saw three key players—Scott Bain, Filip Lissah and Liam Henderson—sidelined with injuries sustained in a Scottish Cup semi‑final loss to Dunfermline Athletic. Despite these setbacks, they began brightly, with captain Brad Spencer unleashing a powerful long‑range volley that was narrowly saved by Viljami Sinisalo, and Dylan Tait heading wide from a well‑executed corner.
John McGlynn, Falkirk's manager, acknowledged the mental challenge his side faced, but expressed pride in their effort: "We gave it a good go… the mentality of the team was great despite the loss." Celtic's dominance was evident throughout the second half. While Falkirk briefly threatened with Wilson's strike, Celtic's pressing intensity, orchestrated by O'Neill, limited any sustained comeback.
A potential third goal from Yang was disallowed for off‑side, and the home side continued to control possession and create chances. The final whistle confirmed a three‑point haul for Celtic, narrowing the gap at the top of the table to a single point among the three leading clubs. Looking ahead, the Scottish Premiership remains a tightly contested battle.
With only four matches remaining, every point is vital. Celtic will aim to maintain momentum and capitalize on their recent form, while Hearts and Rangers will be eager to respond in their upcoming fixtures. Falkirk must regroup quickly, addressing their injury concerns and seeking to rediscover consistency if they hope to climb back into contention for European places. For fans wishing to follow the action, the Scottish Premiership is available for streaming on NOW and can be watched live on Sky Sports.
The league also offers interactive experiences, such as the Super 6 competition, where participants can enter for free for a chance to win a £250,000 prize. Overall, the match highlighted Celtic's attacking prowess, defensive solidity, and the growing confidence of Daizen Maeda, who appears to be hitting peak form at a decisive moment in the season. O'Neill's side will now turn their attention to the upcoming Sunday clashes, hoping to sustain their resurgence and keep the title race alive until the very end.