Celtic 8-1 Falkirk

Last updated : 22 September 2004 By Kevin Smith
So much for the struggle that could have been. I must admit, I was refusing to feel too confident prior to tonight's match, but any worries I had were abolished as soon as I placed my bum on my seat.

Celts ran out 8-1 winners over First Division high-hopers Falkirk. It was all to easy - even for a strong but subdued Celtic side. The match was over at half time, when Celtic led 4-0.

Despite it being a fairly weakened Celtic side, the game was a canter. Starting the game were Douglas, Valgaeren, Balde, McManus, Laursen, McGeady, Lambert, Juninho, Wallace, Pearson, Sylla. The way they played tonight, even that side would skate the SPL.

The Falkirk support were out in full force to make a night out of the big occassion. They outnumbered most SPL crowds but I doubt they could keep it up every week.

Momo Sylla - the one man circus - grabbed Celtic's opening goal of the night, with only two minutes on the clock. The goal settled any nerves going around the place. Juninho slotted a through ball to Sylla, who finished neatly to put The Bhoys in front.

Just four minutes later, Sylla latched onto a defensive mistake, and with the crowd screaming for him to cut the ball back, it was Ross Wallace who was there to crash it in.

Falkirk, to their credit, did not give up the fight, throughout the match. John Hughes has installed a great spirit within the side, and they could have had a couple of goals in the first half. Bobo Balde almost scored another own goal - his 'shot' crashed back off the Celtic crossbar. Rab Douglas, who had a few shakey moments, made a great save making up for a previous mistake to deny the Bairns a goal.

But Celtic put the game out of any doubt before the interval. Bobo Balde headed home a Aiden McGeady corner, before Paul Lambert rewarding a classy performance with a well taken goal right on the interval.

The attendance in Celtic Park wasn't the best, considering the game was free on season books. If you don't want to go to the game then give your season ticket to someone who does! The queue at the ticket office at 7.40 tonight was halfway down the street, these guys probably missed the forst half an hour of the game. I bet they all knew someone with a season ticket who didn't bother going to the game tonight.

Three minutes after the restart, Stephen McManus headed home his first senior goal for the club. He looked delighted with the goal.

When Celtic were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area, by the fattest referee in the world, Willie Young - Juninho was the name on everyone's lips. But Ross Wallace was the man who took the set piece, and it resulted in the youngster's second goal of the night. It was a fantastic goal.

Falkirk grabbed a consolation goal on 68 minutes and their fans gave us all a chuckle with a wonderful reindition of "This is so f*ckin' easy!"

However, most of their fans were heading for the exits when Ross Wallace completed his hat-trick after some neat team play between Sylla and Juninho. Wallace's celebration of mock rocking a baby is apparently in celebration of his pregnant girlfriend.

Alan Thompson replaced Stephen McManus and played in the left-back position. Perhaps getting himself ready for a game there next week? We'll see.

Falkirk's misery was completed just before the final whistle when Aiden McGeady curled in a fantastic effort to make the scoreline 8-1. McGeady's was arguably the goal of the night and it was a sound way to round off a great performance.

Celtic played well, especially for a team who haven't played together before. We still have too many silly lapses in concentration which need to be sorted out.

Next up are Dunfermline on Saturday, before we head to Italia.

Celtic:
Douglas - 6
Valgaeren - 6
Balde - 7
Laursen - 6
McManus - 7 (Thompson) - 6
Lambert - 8
Wallace - 9
McGeady - 9
Pearson - 7
Juninho - 7
Sylla - 6

Come On The Hoops Man Of The Match: Ross Wallace

Come On The Hoops Moment To Remember: Wallace's wonderful free-kick.

Come On The Hoops Moment To Forget: Falkirk fans. Huns without the bus fare.