| Match Pictures | Matches: 2006 – 2007 | 2006-2007 Pictures |
Trivia
- A late Aiden McGeady strike prevented lacklustre Scottish Premier League leaders Celtic being held to a draw by an impressive Falkirk side.
Review
Falkirk started brightly, with Anthony Stokes twice sent clear down the right only to fail to test Artur Boruc with his shots.
Celtic worked their way back into the game and Shunsuke Nakamura squandered a chance when he blasted over after making room for himself on the edge of the penalty box.
Miller beat goalkeeper Scott Higgins to a long ball only for the striker's shot on the turn to strike woodwork.
McGeady side-footed over from 12 yards after being picked out by Celtic substitute Shaun Maloney's cross.
McGeady's class made the difference, the midfielder gathering a Maloney pass just inside the box and driving the winner into the far corner of the net.
Teams
Falkirk:-
Higgins, Ross, Barr, Milne (Scobbie 26), Twaddle, Latapy (John Stewart 87), Cregg, Thomson, Moutinho (McManus 73), Gow, Stokes.
Subs not used:- Lambers, Dodd, McStay, Lima.
Booked:- D Barr 63, M Twaddle 90.
Celtic (4-4-2):-
Boruc, Telfer, McManus, Caldwell, Naylor, Nakamura (Maloney 60), Lennon, Gravesen, McGeady, Zurawski, Miller (Beattie 75).
Subs not used:- Marshall, Sno, O'Dea, Riordan, Jarosik.
Goals:- A McGeady 84.
Booked:- Lennon 53.
Att:- 7139
Ref:- I Brines.
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
KStreet
- Match Thread
- MOTM Voting
- Winner – Aiden McGeady – (Link to MOTM Winners 2006-07)
Stats
FALKIRK v CELTIC
| 50% | 50% |
Shots on target
| 6 | 2 |
Shots off target
| 9 | 8 |
Corners
| 6 | 6 |
Fouls
| 13 | 12 |
Articles
Falkirk 0-1 Celtic
By Clive Lindsay
BBC
A late Aiden McGeady strike prevented lacklustre Scottish Premier League leaders Celtic being held to a draw by an impressive Falkirk side.
Darren Barr had a header cleared off the line by Kenny Miller as the Bairns dominated first-half possession.
Celtic found it hard to create chances, but a Miller shot on the turn struck the underside of the Falkirk crossbar.
Although Celtic improved after the break, a draw seemed inevitable until McGeady's low drive was deflected in.
Interview: Celtic boss Gordon Strachan
Visiting manager Gordon Strachan had kept an unchanged side from the midweek Champions League defeat of Copenhagen.
The Bairns were without suspended Stephen O'Donnell and Liam Craig, both sent off in last weekend's win over Hibernian.
Midfielder Steven Thomson took O'Donnell's place in the starting line-up.
And Falkirk started brightly, with Anthony Stokes twice sent clear down the right only to fail to test Artur Boruc with his shots.
When Patrick Cregg did manage to find the target, the midfielder's 25-yard drive flew powerfully straight into the goalkeeper's arms.
Celtic worked their way back into the game and Shunsuke Nakamura squandered a chance when he blasted over after making room for himself on the edge of the penalty box.
Falkirk suffered a blow when the commanding Kenny Milne was forced off injured after only 26 minutes, with Tom Scobbie coming into defence.
The Bairns continued to dominate possession and Alan Gow sent a curling effort over the far post after another flowing passing move.
Falkirk had claims for a penalty rejected when Kenny Miller cleared off the line to prevent Darren Barr's header from six yards entering the net following a corner.
Celtic had a close call of their own at the other end moments later.
Miller beat goalkeeper Scott Higgins to a long ball only for the striker's shot on the turn to strike woodwork.
But Falkirk continued their own forward momentum after the break when Stokes dispossessed Gary Caldwell.
He set up Cregg, but the resulting shot was weak and straight at Boruc.
Stokes squandered a great opening after being given the chance to run at the goalkeeper by Gow's fine through ball.
The striker delayed his low drive and it was deflected wide by the lunging Caldwell.
McGeady side-footed over from 12 yards after being picked out by Celtic substitute Shaun Maloney's cross.
Gow came close to snatching a win for Falkirk with a low drive that was deflected a foot past the far post.
But McGeady's class made the difference, the midfielder gathering a Maloney pass just inside the box and driving the winner into the far corner of the net.
Falkirk: Higgins, Ross, Barr, Milne (Scobbie 26), Twaddle, Latapy (John Stewart 87), Cregg, Thomson, Moutinho (McManus 73), Gow, Stokes.
Subs Not Used: Lambers, Dodd, McStay, Lima.
Booked: Barr, Twaddle.
Celtic: Boruc, Telfer, Naylor, McManus, Caldwell, Nakamura (Maloney 60), Lennon, Gravesen (Sno 59), McGeady, Zurawski, Miller (Beattie 76).
Subs Not Used: Marshall, O'Dea, Riordan, Jarosik.
Booked: Lennon.
Goal: McGeady 84.
Att: 7,139
Ref: I Brines
Full Time
89:05
Paul Caddis crosses the ball. Georgios Samaras is penalised for a handball. Allan McGregor restarts play with the free kick.
86:06
Scott McDonald is caught offside. Free kick taken by Allan McGregor.
84:26
Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Pedro Mendes, Header on goal by David Weir from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.
84:11
Nacho Novo takes a shot. Save by Artur Boruc.
82:17
Corner from the right by-line taken by Pedro Mendes, David Weir takes a shot. Save by Artur Boruc.
82:12
Centre by Nacho Novo, clearance made by Paul Caddis.
80:58
Pedro Mendes takes the free kick.
80:58 Booking
Glenn Loovens challenges Steven Naismith unfairly and gives away a free kick. Glenn Loovens is booked.
80:03
Nacho Novo is penalised for a handball. Direct free kick taken by Artur Boruc.
77:39
Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Scott McDonald, clearance made by David Weir. Inswinging corner taken by Shaun Maloney, clearance by Steven Naismith.
77:26
A cross is delivered by Aiden McGeady, blocked by Sasa Papac.
76:00 Substitution
Paul Caddis on for Lee Naylor.
74:56
Pedro Mendes takes the free kick.
74:56 Booking
Foul by Scott Brown on Nacho Novo, free kick awarded. Booking for Scott Brown for unsporting behaviour.
73:37
The ball is sent over by Mark Wilson, Effort on goal by Shaun Maloney from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.
73:18
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Aiden McGeady by Kyle Lafferty. Scott Brown takes the free kick.
72:57
Steven Naismith fouled by Patrick McCourt, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Sasa Papac.
71:53
Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Lee Naylor.
71:26
Patrick McCourt takes a shot. Sasa Papac gets a block in.
70:17
Lee Naylor fouled by Kenny Miller, the ref awards a free kick. Lee Naylor crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from left channel, clearance by David Weir.
69:01
Free kick crossed right-footed by Mark Wilson from right channel, David Weir makes a clearance.
69:01 Substitution
Patrick McCourt replaces Zheng Zhi.
69:01 Booking
Nacho Novo challenges Mark Wilson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Nacho Novo is given a yellow card.
68:25
Shot by Aiden McGeady. Allan McGregor makes a save.
66:53
Steven Davis fouled by Shaun Maloney, the ref awards a free kick. David Weir restarts play with the free kick. Free kick awarded for a foul by Steven Davis on Scott Brown. Artur Boruc restarts play with the free kick.
66:36
Free kick taken by Allan McGregor. Free kick awarded for a foul by Kyle Lafferty on Stephen McManus. Direct free kick taken by Glenn Loovens.
66:03 Booking
The referee books Mark Wilson for unsporting behaviour.
62:21
Free kick awarded for a foul by Kyle Lafferty on Zheng Zhi. Free kick taken by Glenn Loovens.
61:06
Direct free kick taken by Lee Naylor. The official flags Scott McDonald offside. Allan McGregor takes the direct free kick.
61:06 Substitution
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Lee Naylor by Nacho Novo. Georgios Samaras joins the action as a substitute, replacing Landry N'Guemo.
58:40
Scott Brown gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Steven Naismith. Sasa Papac takes the direct free kick.
57:07
Kenny Miller challenges Scott McDonald unfairly and gives away a free kick. Shaun Maloney takes the direct free kick. Mark Wilson takes a shot from just outside the penalty area clears the crossbar.
56:22
The ball is delivered by Lee Naylor, Sasa Papac makes a clearance.
55:54
Scott McDonald takes a shot. Allan McGregor makes a save.
54:53
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kyle Lafferty by Stephen McManus. Steven Smith crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, Artur Boruc makes a save.
54:08
Kenny Miller produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the goal.
53:18
Scott McDonald is ruled offside. Allan McGregor restarts play with the free kick.
52:24
Scott McDonald fouled by David Weir, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed by Lee Naylor, Allan McGregor makes a save.
52:01
David Weir concedes a free kick for a foul on Shaun Maloney. Aiden McGeady takes the free kick.
51:55
The ball is sent over by Kenny Miller, Scott Brown manages to make a clearance.
50:48
Steven Whittaker fouled by Zheng Zhi, the ref awards a free kick. Allan McGregor takes the direct free kick.
48:25
Free kick crossed right-footed by Shaun Maloney, save by Allan McGregor.
48:25 Booking
Pedro Mendes concedes a free kick for a foul on Aiden McGeady. Pedro Mendes is booked.
47:30
Inswinging corner taken by Steven Smith, save made by Artur Boruc.
46:34
Stephen McManus challenges Kyle Lafferty unfairly and gives away a free kick. Steven Smith delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right by-line, clearance made by Zheng Zhi.
45:18
Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Steven Smith, David Weir produces a header from inside the area that goes over the crossbar.
The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.
The match has reached half-time.
Half Time
45+1
Steven Davis fouled by Landry N'Guemo, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by David Weir.
44:46
Foul by Nacho Novo on Mark Wilson, free kick awarded. Scott Brown takes the free kick.
42:52
Stephen McManus fouled by Kyle Lafferty, the ref awards a free kick. Artur Boruc restarts play with the free kick.
42:21
A cross is delivered by Lee Naylor.
41:38 Substitution
(Rangers) makes a substitution, with Kyle Lafferty coming on for Kris Boyd.
34:52
Mark Wilson challenges Nacho Novo unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Steven Smith from left wing, clearance by Lee Naylor. Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Steven Smith, clearance by Scott Brown.
33:45
Inswinging corner taken by Lee Naylor from the right by-line, Scott McDonald concedes a free kick for a foul on Allan McGregor. Allan McGregor restarts play with the free kick.
32:37
Foul by Sasa Papac on Aiden McGeady, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed by Lee Naylor, clearance made by Steven Naismith. Lee Naylor takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, Steven Naismith makes a clearance.
31:34
The ball is sent over by Steven Davis, save by Artur Boruc.
30:05
Scott McDonald concedes a free kick for a foul on Steven Smith. Allan McGregor takes the free kick.
28:47
Free kick awarded for a foul by Aiden McGeady on Nacho Novo. Free kick taken by Allan McGregor.
25:29
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Steven Smith by Aiden McGeady. Steven Smith takes the free kick.
24:11 GOAL – Aiden McGeady
Rangers 2 – Celtic 1
Penalty awarded for an unfair challenge on Zheng Zhi by Sasa Papac. Placed penalty scored by Aiden McGeady. Rangers 2-1 Celtic.Assist by Zheng Zhi.
22:44
Scott McDonald has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.
19:50
Scott Brown produces a cross.
19:36
The ball is swung over by Lee Naylor, Steven Whittaker gets a block in.
15:10 GOAL – Kenny Miller
Rangers 2 – Celtic 0
Kenny Miller gets on the score sheet with a goal from just inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Rangers 2-0 Celtic.Assist on the goal came from Allan McGregor.
14:47
Allan McGregor takes the free kick.
14:47 Booking
Shaun Maloney goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour.
13:10
Allan McGregor takes the free kick.
13:10 Substitution
Aiden McGeady challenges Kenny Miller unfairly and gives away a free kick. Andrew Little leaves the field to be replaced by Nacho Novo.
10:24
Free kick awarded for a foul by Sasa Papac on Scott McDonald. Free kick crossed by Lee Naylor, Sasa Papac manages to make a clearance.
9:07
Free kick awarded for a foul by Steven Whittaker on Scott Brown. Scott Brown takes the free kick.
7:12 GOAL – Kenny Miller
Rangers 1 – Celtic 0
Kenny Miller grabs a goal from the edge of the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Rangers 1-0 Celtic.Assist by Kris Boyd.
6:24
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Stephen McManus by Kenny Miller. Artur Boruc restarts play with the free kick.
5:19
The ball is delivered by Aiden McGeady, clearance by Sasa Papac.
4:24
Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Steven Smith played to the near post, save by Artur Boruc.
3:48
Lee Naylor challenges Steven Naismith unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Andrew Little.
3:35
Free kick awarded for a foul by Steven Davis on Landry N'Guemo. Lee Naylor takes the direct free kick.
2:56
Kris Boyd is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Artur Boruc takes the free kick.
2:35
Shaun Maloney takes a shot. Save by Allan McGregor.
The match has kicked off.
Strachan praises defeated Bairns
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan
Gordon Strachan was thankful for individual brilliance
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan insists he was always confident his side would grab a winner against Falkirk.
"I always felt we would score in the second-half," he said after the 1-0 win. "Our passing got better and we got a wee bit shape to our midfield.
"As a group, we weren't working that great, but individuals saved us on the day in the first-half.
"But what a performance from Falkirk in the first-half. Their ability and commitment made it a long 45 minutes."