Scottish PremiershipWednesday, October 29, 2025Celtic Park CELTIC…4(Kenny 30 & 40, Nygren 58, Tounekti 73) FALKIRK…0 Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney’s term as Celtic’s interim management team got off to the perfect start as the Hoops defeated Falkirk 4-0 at Celtic Park thanks to a first-half brace from Johnny Kenny and second half goals from Benjamin Nygren and Sebastian Tounekti. Tounekti found himself with a big opportunity to open the scoring early in the match when an Arne Engels cross from a corner kick was flicked on to the back post where the Tunisian was unmarked, but he mis-hit his effort, sending it back across the box rather than towards the target. Marcelo Sarrachi linked up well with Tounekti on the left wing throughout the first 45 minutes, with the Uruguayan left back’s pace and energy causing problems for Falkirk and providing another attacking threat for the Hoops. The opening goal came on the half-hour mark, when Johnny Kenny slotted home after a good save from Scott Bain. The move itself came about as a result of Anthony Ralston’s commitment to win the ball in the middle of the pitch, putting Celtic on the front foot. Sebastian Tounekti slid the ball to Benjamin Nygren in the box, and although his shot was saved, Sligo man Johnny Kenny finished on the rebound. The visitors looked to hit back straight away and Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi almost levelled the game with a good strike from inside the box, but Kasper Schmeichel was equal to it as he made a diving save down to his right. Celtic took a 2-0 lead with five minutes of the first half remaining and, again, Johnny Kenny was the man to find the target. Anthony Ralston sent a tempting ball deep to the back post towards Nygren, who headed back across the six-yard box where Kenny was waiting to head it beyond Bain, making it 2-0. In the minutes that followed the Hoops’ second strike, Falkirk found themselves hanging on desperately as Celtic piled the pressure on, with Marcelo Saracchi, Sebastian Tounekti and Benjamin Nygren all unlucky not to get their names on the scoresheet before the end of the half.Celtic started the second half with the same intensity that they showed in the first 45 minutes, and less than a minute after the restart, Johnny Kenny sent a shot over the bar after being sent through on goal by Benjamin Nygren. The Hoops made the three points secure with just shy of an hour gone in the match. Marcelo Saracchi’s effort from the edge of the area was saved by Scott Bain, but he could only parry the ball towards Benjamin Nygren, who fired his shot in to the back of the net to make it 3-0 and put the game beyond the visitors. Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney began to make some changes, with Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Luke McCowan both introduced to the game. Daizen Maeda was also brought on, making his return after recovering from injury, with his introduction met with acclaim from the Paradise faithful. Sebastian Tounekti was the next Celt to add his name to the scoresheet, and his first goal at Celtic Park was no more than his performance deserved. Luke McCowan sent him on his way with a wonderful pass up the left wing, and the winger showed his quality as he burst in to the box and made the finish to put Celtic 4-0 up. There were further changes for Celtic as the match wore on, as Callum McGregor and Sebastian Tounekti were taken off and replaced by Reo Hatate and Callum Osmand, the latter making his Celtic debut. After tonight’s 4-0 victory and impressive performance, the Hoops will now move on to Sunday’s Glasgow derby in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden Park.
Trending Now
