Well… thank God that’s over.
On a gruelling night in Falkirk, Celtic have found a way again under Martin O’Neill, bringing a 1-0 home win back to Glasgow.
It’s a results business, and no-one knows that better than O’Neill. Benjamin Nygren’s first-half header made the difference.
It was an essential three points given that Hearts also won – here are five things we learned from the encounter.
Who deserves the man of the match from that win?
Benjamin Nygren on the scoresheet again
Nygren is generating a gap in the race for Celtic’s top goalscorer this season.
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Admittedly, it’s a low bar – but whatever you think of the Swede as a whole, he has been a reliable contributor to a team which has been desperate for goals.
In a summer transfer window which has had its flaws well-documented, Nygren was a solid buy at £1.5 million.
Not a day for the wingers
Sebastian Tounekti had made a promising return from AFCON in the Dundee United win, looking back at his best.
But this time around, almost nothing came off for the Hoops man. It was fairly surprising that he lasted as long as he did before being substituted.
Penalty box defending is back
It may not have been the prettiest performance – far from it, in fact – but Celtic dug in to earn their clean sheet, something they couldn’t manage under Wilfried Nancy.
As the game went on, it got tougher to watch – but the three points made it worth it in the end.
Change my mind…
Kasper Schmeichel… your faither would be proud
Peter Schmeichel was in attendance to watch his son, having also attended training at Lennoxtown on Tuesday.
In the closing stages, a mix-up at the back led to a gilt-edged chance for Ethan Williams. Schmeichel junior came up with the kind of one-vs-one stop that his old man is so famous for.
Four consecutive away wins for Martin
Celtic’s away form suffered under both Nancy and Brendan Rodgers… but since losing against Midtjylland, O’Neill has now won four consecutive away games in all competitions.
St Mirren, Feyenoord, Hibs and Falkirk… not bad at all. Up next, it’s Auchinleck Talbot…
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