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 seized the opportunity of playing before their main rivals, applying relentless pressure on both Rangers and Hearts ahead of their upcoming fixtures on Sunday. The match featured early brilliance from Daizen Maeda and Kieran Tierney, who each delivered first‑half goals as Falkirk squandered several promising chances. In the second half, Falkirk's substitute Kyrell Wilson produced a spectacular half‑volley that sparked a brief revival, but Maeda restored Celtic's dominance with a seventh‑minute‑to‑go strike, sealing three vital points for the champions.
The victory marks Celtic's fourth consecutive win as they head into the final four games of the season with a genuine shot at retaining their title. Falkirk, currently sitting in sixth place, now face a steep climb toward European qualification after managing just one win in their last five outings across all competitions. Their challenges were compounded by injuries to key players Scott Bain, Filip Lissah and Liam Henderson, who were sidelined after a Scottish Cup semi‑final loss to Dunfermline Athletic the previous weekend. Despite the setbacks, Falkirk began the encounter on a positive note.
Captain Brad Spencer unleashed a powerful long‑range volley that was narrowly saved by Viljami Sinisalo, while a well‑delivered corner saw Dylan Tait head wide. However, as John McGlynn's men have learned from previous meetings with Celtic, the champions demand ruthless efficiency. Maeda, echoing his performance in Celtic's semi‑final win over St Mirren, demonstrated his trademark pressing intensity to open the scoring.
He anticipated a loose ball from Keelan Adams at the halfway line, then calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Nicky Hogarth with a first‑time finish. Shortly before the break, Tierney doubled the lead, striking a sixth‑season goal that rebounded off the crossbar and completed a swift counter‑attack.
The second half saw Celtic maintain control, though a potential third goal from Yang was ruled out for offside. Falkirk found a lifeline 20 minutes from the end when Wilson received a cross‑field pass from Leon McCann, controlled it on his chest and unleashed a half‑volley that curled into the top corner from a tight angle.
Wilson continued to menace Celtic's defence as Falkirk pressed for an equaliser. The decisive moment arrived with seven minutes remaining. Maeda, who had been named last season's Player of the Year, resurfaced to score his second of the night.
Receiving a cut‑back from Sebastian Tounekti, he calmly rolled the ball into the net, marking his third goal in two matches after a 17‑game drought. O'Neill praised his forward's resurgence, hoping the form will continue as the title race tightens. With only four games left and a single point separating the top three, the competition is poised to become a three‑horse race. O'Neill emphasized the importance of the result, lauding Maeda's performance and the squad's resilience in the face of adversity.
He noted the team's flaws but highlighted their character, promising close attention to Sunday's fixtures, especially regarding Rangers and Hearts. Falkirk manager John McGlynn expressed satisfaction with his team's effort, acknowledging the mental test after recent setbacks against Rangers and Dunfermline. He praised his players' intensity and pressing, despite the loss, and underscored the positive mentality displayed. Looking ahead, Celtic will aim to capitalize on their momentum, while Hearts and Rangers will look to respond in the final stretch of the season.
The battle for the Scottish Premiership remains open, with every point crucial as clubs vie for the championship and European qualification. The match also featured promotions for streaming the Scottish Premiership via NOW and live coverage on Sky Sports, alongside a Super 6 competition offering a £250,000 prize for entrants.