Scottish PremiershipSunday, February 1, 2026Celtic Park CELTIC…2(Čvančara 39, Nygren 62) FALKIRK…0 Celtic picked up all three points with a 2-0 win against Falkirk at Paradise as Tomáš Čvančara opened his scoring account and Benjamin Nygren added to his impressive goal tally for the season. John McGlynn’s Falkirk side have rightly earned plaudits this season for their attacking performances and their ability to get results, an ability which sees them currently occupy a top-six spot in the table, and they looked to put the Hoops under pressure from the first whistle this afternoon. Early in the match, Kasper Schmeichel was called in to action, producing a good diving save to prevent Barney Stewart from finding the bottom corner with a header from inside the box. Celtic soon settled in to the match and looked to put together some attacking moves and force Falkirk to defend. However, chances were at a premium for both sides, though Yang was unfortunate not to find the back of the net with a powerful shot from inside the box which forced former Celt, Scott Bain to make a strong save. With the first half nearing a close, the goal that Celtic had been searching for was delivered by Tomáš Čvančara on his home debut. Keiran Tierney sent in a tempting cross towards the big forward who glanced a headed effort towards the bottom corner, leaving Scott Bain with no chance and giving the Hoops a 1-0 lead. Falkirk almost grabbed an equaliser from a corner moments later, with the ball ricocheting dangerously around the six-yard box before Kasper Schmiechel was able to gather, keeping Celtic’s lead intact at half time.The visitors almost equalised early in the second half when former Celt, Calvin Miller fired a shot towards goal from distance which crept just wide of the target. Soon after, Yang was substituted for James Forrest, and after his recent positive performances, it will be hoped that there are no injury concerns surrounding the winger. There seemed to be more energy in the play in the second half, and with just 10 minutes gone, the game ranged from end to end with Falkirk breaking in to the Celtic box just before Tomáš Čvančara sent a shot just wide of the post at the other end moments later. Just after the hour mark, Celtic went 2-0 up with Benjamin Nygren grabbing his 12th league goal of the season, finishing off a brilliant move which saw the Swede link up wonderfully with Callum McGregor on the left wing. Nygren, whose goalscoring exploits this season speak for themselves, almost made it 3-0 a few minutes later when he got a shot on target from just outside the six-yard box, but Scott Bain was equal to it and was able to make the save. Martin O’Neill made a few changes with 20 minutes gone, bringing Reo Hatate and Sebastian Tounekti on for Arne Engels and Tomáš Čvančara, with the latter receiving a standing ovation as he left the pitch after a good home debut which saw him grab his first goal in the Hoops. Tounekti had the ball in the net shortly after being brought on, but the offside flag went up denying the winger what would have been a nicely-taken goal. There were further changes for Celtic as the match progressed, with Stephen Welsh and Kelechi Iheanacho brought on for Kieran Tierney and Daizen Maeda. Falkirk went close to dragging themselves back in to the match with five minutes to go when veteran striker Brian Graham got a shot away from inside the box, but Kasper Schmeichel got down well to his left and was able to make the save. Today’s victory over Falkirk returns Martin O’Neill’s side to second place in the table, with a trip to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen coming up on Wednesday night.
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