Benjamin Nygren’s 10th Scottish Premiership goal of the season gave Celtic an unconvincing – but vital – victory over Falkirk, which kept them six points behind leaders Hearts on an important night in the title race.
The Sweden international’s header a minute before half-time turned out to be the winner, but came against the run of play during a first half which Falkirk looked the sharper side.
Celtic improved after the break but did not have the control that has been the hallmark of their performances over several seasons, looking more like the shaky outfit of this turbulent campaign.
John McGlynn’s Falkirk team played with intensity and conviction as they hunted Celtic in midfield and doubled up on them out wide to win possession and create good chances.
Kyrell Wilson had the best of them in the first half as he powered away from Kieran Tierney and jinked away from Kasper Schmeichel, only to lose his footing and poke wide.
The Celtic goalkeeper also produced a fantastic save with his feet in the final 10 minutes to deny Ethan Williams after mistakes by Auston Trusty and Liam Scales.
Up the other end Scott Bain was rarely forced into action, with Celtic managing only two shots on target.
Nonetheless on a night when league leaders Hearts beat St Mirren with 10 men, Martin O’Neill kept up his 100% domestic record this season and made sure his side stay in touch.
If the dominant dismantling of a meek Dundee United side appeared to exorcise the demons of the brief Wilfried Nancy era at the weekend, this performance was a reminder of this Celtic side’s fragility.
O’Neill was clear this week he feels signings are an absolute must, and being outplayed for most of the game by a side who were in the Championship this time last year will only turn up the heat on the club’s hierarchy to urgently add quality.
The fact Nygren, a player who has gone from winger to midfielder and sometimes substitute, is the first player to hit double figures in the league this season – in January – is testament to their attacking struggles.
Luckily for Celtic the Swede has a fantastic ability to be in the right place at the right time, as he was again to get on the end of Arne Engels’ dipping corner.
It was one of only two efforts on target as the champions toiled to build from the back, in large part due to Falkirk’s ability to snuff out Callum McGregor’s influence.
Nobody else stepped up to get them moving forward and they had little control.
McGlynn and Falkirk need to take immense credit for that, as they hounded Celtic and used their moments on the ball to play superb football.
Right-back Filip Lissah was outstanding, as was Leon McCann on the other side of the defence.
They were helped out at both ends of the pitch by wingers Calvin Miller and Wilson, who was only missing the finish from his excellent run in the first half.
The killer touch was all that was lacking. Still, they have a five-point cushion over Dundee United and Aberdeen in the race for the top six and deserve the be in the top half right now.
Falkirk manager John McGlynn: “I think most neutrals will agree that we deserved to take something from the game – at least one point, maybe three.
“We had three good chances in the first half and, in the second half, Schmeichel makes a fantastic save. So I’m absolutely gutted for our players. They put so much into the game, they played particularly well.
“We have kept them quiet tonight. I have played Celtic before and the goalkeeper has been out best player, but that was not the case tonight.”
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill: “It was on a knife edge. 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. We hadn’t played particular well. I thought the second half we started to improve a bit and got a bit tighter.
“Overall, delighted to win, but we can play much better. It is only 72 hours since we played brilliantly against Dundee United.”
Both teams start their Scottish Cup campaign.
Falkirk visit Premiership leaders Hearts in the fourth round on Saturday (20:00 GMT) while Celtic play sixth-tier side Auchinleck Talbot at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park on Sunday (17:30).
