Falkirk lost 2-1 to Celtic in a Premiership fixture at Celtic Park this week. The defeat leaves the Bairns 11th in the table with just one point from their first three games, a position detailed on our standings page.
Camilo Duran scored twice for the hosts, with his opener coming after just three minutes. Falkirk goalkeeper Scott Bain, a 34-year-old Edinburgh-born candidate for the Scotland national team, spilled the ball to gift Duran the goal. Falkirk did pull one back later to create some anxiety, but couldn't find an equaliser. The match was covered by Alan Pattullo for The Scotsman.
How did Scott Bain's error impact the game?
Scott Bain's mistake set the tone for a difficult evening. The veteran keeper, who has four Scotland caps and debuted in 2019, will be disappointed with his handling. His error gave Celtic immediate momentum. Bain remains in the frame for a Scotland recall under new manager Sebastien Pocognoli, whose first squad is due in a little over two weeks. With Craig Gordon retired and Angus Gunn established as Steve Clarke's previous number one, the goalkeeping position is in flux.
What was the context for Celtic after European exit?
Celtic played this match just days after crashing out of the Champions League. They lost a play-off to LASK 5-1, a result that heavily implicated midfielder Luke McCowan. The 28-year-old boyhood Celtic fan, who shut down his social media due to vitriol after that game, was on the bench against Falkirk. He came on as a 78th-minute substitute for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, receiving warm applause from the home support when he warmed up after 17 minutes and when he entered the pitch.
Who were the other notable figures in the match?
Celtic were without captain Callum McGregor due to illness, with Oxlade-Chamberlain starting in his place. Manager Martin O'Neill, 74, named 17-year-old midfielder Liam Kennedy on the bench for the first time. Kennedy did not get on, but his inclusion was noted. "It was good to see 17-year-old Celtic midfielder Liam Kennedy named on the bench for the first time," said Alan Pattullo. O'Neill had name-checked the youngster a couple of weeks prior, with a summit on young Scottish players scheduled for Friday in St Andrews.
What does this mean for Falkirk's season?
The loss is another setback in a challenging start. Falkirk's league record shows one point from three games, with a goal difference of minus three after scoring once and conceding four. They are already eight points behind leaders Celtic in the title race. The focus must now shift to halting this form. Their next opportunity comes in an away fixture against Kilmarnock on December 30th. You can view the full schedule on our fixtures page. Kilmarnock are currently 12th, making it a significant match for both sides near the bottom of the table.
