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Falkirk 0-3 Celtic

Discussion in 'TalkCeltic News' started by Murphy7, Nov 6, 2005.

By Murphy7 on Nov 6, 2005 at 6:56 PM
  1. Murphy7

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    Celtic achieved what Rangers and Hearts have both failed to do by winning at the Falkirk Staduim. The comfortable victory moved Celtic back to the top of the league and saw John Hartson score his 100th goal for the club.

    Aiden McGeady who had not started since the 4-4 draw with Motherwell on the opening day of the season started the game as if had had been ever-present this season. The youngster made a couple of promising runs down the left flank but his final ball let him down.

    Shaun Maloney who was playing as a striker due to Sutton's injury was first to get a glimpse of goal. After a nice move he blazed his shot over the top after connecting with a Paul Telfer cross. The Scot decided to take the shot early instead of taking a first touch and this was his undoing.

    Celtic were looking comfortable and enjoying the bulk of possession. And it needed a a timely interception from Stephen O'Donnell to prevent Shunsuke Nakamura reaching another McGeady cross for a certain tap-in at the back post.

    Celtic's pressure finally paid off after a slick move opened up the Bairns defence four minutes before the interval. Quick thinking from McGeady from a free-kick allowed Mo Camara to race on to a neat pass and flash the ball across goal for Maloney to steer it in through Glennon's legs in the Falkirk goal.

    A minute later Celtic doubled their lead and finished the match. McGeady stepped inside his man on the edge of the penalty area and drilled a low shot past keeper Matt Glennon after clever play by Maloney.

    Falkirk took 54 minutes to test Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc and the Polish international did well to hold a curling drive from Darryl Duffy.

    Celtic had been rather sluggish after the break as they allowed the tempo to drop but Hartson still managed to bundle his way past three defenders before his tame shot was gathered by the grateful Glennon.

    But the Welsh international was celebrating his century of goals for the club on 67 minutes. Camara once again found Maloney in the penalty box and the youngster's powerful shot was parried in the direction of Hartson by Glennon, allowing the striker to calmly find the net from six yards. The goal was met by delight from his fellow Celtic players as they shared his joy for reaching such a tremendous landmark.

    Maloney came close to extending the lead minutes later when he slid in to divert Hartson's cross inches wide. Falkirk, who are yet to win at home this season, spent the last ten minutes chasing the ball as Celtic were content to run down the clock and complete an easy win.

    It was fine performance by Celtic and the ease at which they won would have delighted Gordon Strachan. This allowed him to rest some crucial players ahead of the old-firm derby on Wednesday as he brought off Petrov, Hartson and Maloney before the end. Stephen McManus is also worth a mention as he had a terrific game and improving week by week but it was McGeady who stole the show and was my man of the match.

    Falkirk: Glennon, Lawrie, Scally, Milne, Ireland, Latapy (McBreen 70), Steven Thomson, Moutinho (Lima 57), O'Donnell (O'Neil 68), Gow, Duffy. Subs Not Used: Ferguson, McPherson, McStay, Twaddle.


    Celtic (4-4-2):

    Boruc

    Telfer McManus Balde Camara

    Nakamura Lennon Petrov(Pearson 75) McGeady

    Hartson(Wallace) Maloney(Virgo 83)

    Subs Not Used: Marshall, Varga, Lawson, Agathe.


    Att: 6,459

    Ref:C Murray