Celtic secured a hard-fought but vital 1-0 victory over Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership, thanks to Benjamin Nygren’s 10th league goal of the season. The win keeps the Hoops six points behind leaders Hearts, maintaining their hopes in the tightly contested title race.

While the result adds three points to Celtic’s tally, the performance highlighted the team’s ongoing struggles this season, as Falkirk dominated large periods of the match and exposed vulnerabilities in Martin O’Neill’s side.

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Nygren’s Crucial Goal Against the Run of Play

The only goal of the match came just before half-time, when Nygren rose to head Arne Engels’ corner into the net. Although the goal proved decisive, it came against the flow of the game.

Falkirk, led by manager John McGlynn, were sharper in the opening 45 minutes, pressing Celtic aggressively in midfield and doubling up on the flanks to win possession. Kyrell Wilson had the clearest chance for the Bairns, breaking past Kieran Tierney and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, but lost his footing and poked wide.

Celtic goalkeeper Schmeichel later produced a crucial save with his feet, denying Ethan Williams after defensive errors from Auston Trusty and Liam Scales. Meanwhile, Celtic struggled to create opportunities, registering just two shots on target, showing a lack of control that has plagued them during this turbulent campaign.

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Celtic’s Inconsistency Underlines Transfer Needs

After a dominant 3-0 win over Dundee United last weekend, Celtic’s narrow victory over Falkirk highlighted the fragility of O’Neill’s squad. Despite taking the points, the champions were outplayed for much of the game, underscoring the need for reinforcements in January.

Nygren’s tally of 10 league goals—the first Celtic player to reach double figures this season—came only in January, emphasizing Celtic’s attacking struggles. His knack for being in the right place at the right time, particularly from set-pieces, continues to bail the team out in tight matches.

“It was on a knife edge,” said O’Neill. “Falkirk had some good chances in the first half and on another night they might have scored. We were fortunate to go in 1-0 ahead at half time.”

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Falkirk Impress Despite Defeat

Falkirk’s performance was a statement of intent, showing intensity, organization, and tactical discipline. Right-back Filip Lissah and left-back Leon McCann were standout performers, providing defensive stability while aiding counter-attacks. Wingers Calvin Miller and Kyrell Wilson** caused Celtic plenty of problems, with Wilson’s first-half run narrowly missing out due to a slip.

McGlynn praised his players’ efforts:

“We had three good chances in the first half, and in the second half Schmeichel made a fantastic save. I’m absolutely gutted for our players. They played particularly well and kept Celtic quiet tonight.”

Falkirk’s spirited performance earned them key player ratings: Calvin Miller averaged 8.07, McCann 7.78, and Lissah 7.67, demonstrating the quality in the Championship side capable of challenging Premiership teams.

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Player Ratings and Standouts

Celtic:

• Benjamin Nygren: Match-winner and key attacking outlet.
• Kasper Schmeichel: Made crucial saves to secure the victory.
• Defensive unit struggled with Falkirk’s high pressing but held on.

Falkirk:

• Calvin Miller: 8.07 – creative and dangerous down the wing.
• Leon McCann: 7.78 – solid defensively and supported attacks.
• Filip Lissah: 7.67 – consistent threat on right flank.

Despite their loss, Falkirk remain in contention for a top-six finish, maintaining a five-point cushion over Dundee United and Aberdeen.

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What’s Next for Celtic and Falkirk

Both teams will now turn their attention to the Scottish Cup:

• Falkirk travel to league leaders Hearts in the fourth round on Saturday (20:00 GMT).
• Celtic face sixth-tier side Auchinleck Talbot at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park on Sunday (17:30 GMT).

For Celtic, this gritty victory keeps them in the title race but raises concerns about their ability to dominate weaker sides, highlighting the urgency for mid-season signings. For Falkirk, the performance will be a confidence booster as they continue their challenge for the Premiership’s top six.