Celtic secured a 3-1 triumph over Falkirk at Celtic Park, a result that lifted them level on points with league leaders Hearts in the Scottish Premiership. Martin O'Neill's men capitalised on the chance to play in front of their own supporters before their title rivals, applying relentless pressure on both Rangers and Hearts ahead of the weekend fixtures. The first half saw Daizen Maeda and Kieran Tierney deliver two decisive finishes, exploiting Falkirk’s missed chances and turning the match in Celtic’s favour. Falkirk’s Kyrell Wilson produced a spectacular half‑volley in the second half, briefly reviving hopes of a comeback, but Maeda struck again with his second goal of the evening seven minutes from the final whistle, sealing three vital points for the champions.
This victory marks Celtic’s fourth consecutive win as they head into the final four games of the season with a realistic chance of retaining the Premiership crown. Meanwhile, Falkirk, currently sitting in sixth place, now face a steep climb toward a European‑qualification spot after a disappointing run of just one win in their last five outings across all competitions.
Their challenges were compounded by the loss of three key players – goalkeeper Scott Bain, midfielder Filip Lissah and forward Liam Henderson – who all suffered injuries in the previous weekend’s Scottish Cup semi‑final loss to rivals Dunfermline Athletic. Despite the setbacks, Falkirk started the match brighter than expected.
Captain Brad Spencer unleashed a powerful long‑range volley that was narrowly saved by Celtic’s Viljami Sinisalo, while a well‑delivered corner saw Dylan Tait head the ball wide. However, as John McGlynn’s side has learned from their previous three encounters with Celtic this season, the champions demand ruthless efficiency. Maeda, echoing his performance in the recent semi‑final win over St Mirren, displayed his trademark pressing and anticipation to open the scoring.
He intercepted a heavy touch from Keelan Adams at the halfway line, then calmly slipped a first‑time finish past Falkirk goalkeeper Nicky Hogarth, who was caught off his line. Just before the break, Tierney doubled the lead with a thunderous strike that rattled the crossbar and completed a swift Celtic counter‑attack, marking his sixth goal of the campaign. The second half saw Celtic dominate possession, with Yang’s effort ruled out for off‑side. Falkirk managed to pull one back with 20 minutes remaining when substitute Kyrell Wilson received a cross‑field pass from Leon McCann, controlled it on his chest and unleashed a clinical half‑volley that found the top corner from a tight angle.
Wilson continued to threaten, but Celtic’s defence held firm. Seven minutes from the end, Maeda resurfaced to add his second goal of the night, tapping in a cut‑back from Sebastian Tounekti.
The Japanese forward, who had gone 17 games without scoring, seemed to have found his form at a crucial moment, much to O'Neill’s delight. After the match, O'Neill praised his side’s resilience, noting the importance of the result and Maeda’s performance.
He highlighted the team’s character in the face of adversity, acknowledging that while they have flaws like any other squad, their determination sets them apart. O'Neill also hinted at his focus on the upcoming Sunday fixtures, recalling past concerns about Rangers and emphasising that the title race now resembles a three‑horse contest involving Celtic, Hearts and Rangers. Falkirk manager John McGlynn expressed satisfaction with his team’s effort despite the loss, describing the game as a significant mental test after recent setbacks against Rangers and Dunfermline. He commended his players for their intensity and pressing, even though they ultimately fell short.
McGlynn praised the squad’s mentality, noting that while the result was disappointing, the spirit shown was encouraging. Looking ahead, Celtic have four matches left and sit just one point behind the top three, meaning every game will be pivotal in the final stretch of the season.
Their recent form suggests they are peaking at the right time, and O'Neill will be hoping that Maeda’s resurgence continues as the title race intensifies. For fans eager to follow the action, the Scottish Premiership can be streamed via NOW and is also broadcast live on Sky Sports. The match report also includes promotional reminders about the Super 6 lottery, offering a chance to win £250,000.