Celtic secured a vital 3-1 triumph over Falkirk at Celtic Park, drawing 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 a home fixture against a team that had already been forced to cope with the loss of three key players – goalkeeper Scott Bain, midfielder Filip Lissah and forward Liam Henderson – after their recent Scottish Cup semi‑final defeat to Dunfermline Athletic. By applying relentless pressure early on, Celtic were able to dictate the tempo, force mistakes and ultimately claim three points that keep them within a single point of the top three.
The opening half was dominated by the visitors, with Daizen Maeda and Kieran Tierney each delivering clinical finishes. Maeda opened the scoring by exploiting a sloppy touch from Keelan Adams at the halfway line, sprinting onto the ball and beating goalkeeper Nicky Hogarth with a composed first‑time strike. His movement and pressing intensity reminded fans of the performance that earned him the Player of the Year award last season.
Just before the break, Tierney doubled the lead, thumping a powerful shot that rattled the cross‑bar and completed a swift counter‑attack that left Falkirk scrambling to regroup. Falkirk, who sit in sixth place and have struggled for consistency – winning only one of their last five fixtures across all competitions – showed early promise.
Captain Brad Spencer unleashed a long‑range volley that was narrowly saved by Viljami Sinisalo, while a well‑delivered corner saw Dylan Tait head wide. Despite these flashes of quality, John McGlynn’s men have learned from previous encounters with the champions that a disciplined, ruthless approach is required to stay in the game. The second half saw Celtic maintain control, with Yang’s effort ruled out for off‑side before Falkirk managed to pull a goal back.
Substitute Kyrell Wilson, who had entered the match to inject fresh energy, received a cross‑field pass from Leon McCann, controlled it on his chest and unleashed a spectacular half‑volley that found the top corner from a tight angle. The strike gave the visitors a glimmer of hope and sparked a brief period of sustained pressure as Falkirk searched for an equaliser. However, Celtic’s dominance proved decisive.
Seven minutes from full‑time, Maeda struck again, tapping in a low finish after a clever cut‑back from Sebastian Tounekti. The goal marked Maeda’s second of the evening and his third in just two matches, ending a 17‑game drought and reaffirming his importance to O'Neill’s attacking plans. The Japanese forward’s composure under pressure highlighted why he has become a fan favourite and a key component of Celtic’s title push. The win represents Celtic’s fourth consecutive victory and brings them within striking distance of the league summit, with only four matches remaining in the season.
O'Neill praised his side’s resilience, noting the adversity they have faced and the character displayed by the squad. He highlighted Maeda’s performance as “phenomenal” and emphasized the importance of maintaining focus ahead of the upcoming Sunday fixtures, where Rangers and Hearts will also be in action.
Falkirk, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly. Their manager John McGlynn expressed satisfaction with the team’s effort, acknowledging the mental challenge of playing after recent setbacks. He praised the players’ attitude, saying the side showed great determination despite the loss.
The Bairns now face a steep climb if they hope to secure a European qualification spot, needing to turn around their recent form and capitalize on the limited games left. Looking ahead, the Scottish Premiership race remains extremely tight.
With only one point separating the top three teams, every match will be crucial. Celtic’s next fixtures will test their ability to sustain momentum, while Hearts and Rangers will be eager to respond.
O'Neill’s side will aim to keep their defensive solidity while continuing to rely on the attacking firepower of Maeda, Tierney, and the rest of the squad. 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. In summary, Celtic’s 3-1 victory over Falkirk not only restored parity with Hearts at the top of the table but also demonstrated the team’s capacity to perform under pressure, adapt to setbacks, and maintain a winning mentality as the season draws to a close.