Falkirk 0-1 Celtic: Bairns Rue Missed Chances as Celts Escape With Win
Celtic made it back to back wins under the returning Martin O’Neill with a narrow 1-0 win away to Falkirk, becoming only the third away side to return home from The Falkirk Stadium with all three points this season. The result means the Glasgow side leapfrog their neighbours Rangers into second place on goal difference, but remain six points behind Hearts who defeated St. Mirren in tonight’s other fixture. The only goal of the game came on the stroke of half-time, with Celtic’s top goalscorer Benjamin Nygren scoring what would be the winner a minute before the whistle as he nodded an Arne Engels corner home. The home side had it much their own way in the first half, with Barney Stewart sending an early warning signal to the Celtic backline when he got in behind and fired straight at former Falkirk loanee Kasper Schmeichel seven minutes in. John McGlynn’s men maintained the pressure and came even closer fifteen minutes later, when a curled Calvin Miller set-piece from the left wing seemed to stop dead inside the Celtic six-yard box, eventually being cleared by left-back Kieran Tierney. And the biggest chance of the half would come just two minutes after. Kyrell Wilson done extremely well to beat Tierney to a ball over the top and drove in from the right, rounding Schmeichel with a smart side step, before losing balance and firing his shot high and wide. It remained one way traffic at the Falkirk Stadium and just before the half hour mark the hosts came close again. A slack pass from Daizen Maeda to his defence was pounced upon by striker Barney Stewart, who once again seen his effort swallowed by Schmeichel as the Hoops survived yet another scare. Seemingly against the run of play and with a mere minute before the half time whistle was blown, an Arne Engels in-swinging corner met the head of Benjamin Nygren. The Swede found the bottom corner and netted his tenth goal in the league this season, to give his side a perhaps undeserving lead at the break. A real collector’s item at half-time as the referee team made the only change. John Beatton swapped with his fourth official Sean Murdoch due to injury as he officiated his first game, or half if you will, of Premiership action. Celtic had the ball in the net again nine minutes into the second period courtesy of Daizen Maeda, but the Japanese forward was clearly offside and the scoreline remained 1-0. The defending champion’s first real sight on goal after the disallowed effort came around ten minutes from time. Reo Hatate was played in the box with space, and his low cross was met by Johnny Kenny. The Irishman’s attempt was blocked and bounced back off of him for a goal kick. Falkirk immediately went up the other end and produced a chance arguably bigger than any of those created in the first half. Liam Scales failed to clear a bouncing ball which landed at sub Ethan Williams’, but his strike was met by the extended leg of Kasper Schmeichel to deny his former side. The Bairns remain in the top six, five points clear of seventh placed Dundee United but will come away from this feeling aggrieved they haven’t taken anything out of the match. They travel to the capital on Saturday evening, to face Hearts in Scottish Cup action. As for Celtic, it is another win for Martin O’Neill who has won nine of hasten matches in charge over two spells as interim manager. The display did not complement the result and the Northern Irishman will no doubt be eager for reinforcements. Celtic travel to Rugby Park on Sunday to face non-league Auchinleck Talbot in the cup. FALKIRK: Bain 6, McCann 5, Henderson 6, Spencer 5, Yeats 4 (Parkinson 63’ 2), Stewart 2 (Marsh 63’ 3), Allan 6, Tait 5 (Cartwright 74’ 1), Wilson 5 (Ross 78’ 1), Lissah 7, Miller 7 (Williams 78’ 1) CELTIC: Schmeichel 7, Scales 5, Trusty 5, Nygren 7, Yang 5 (McCowan 66’ 3), Araujo 5, Tounekti 4 (Hatate 66’ 2), Engels 5 (Kenny 79’ 1), Maeda 5, McGregor 6, Tierney 6
United secure “depth and quality” in Neil Farrugia
Dundee United have announced the signing of fullback Neil Farrugia. The Irishman joins the Tannadice side on a deal until the summer of 2028. Farrugia spent last season at Barnsley in League One and has enjoyed the majority of his football in Ireland for Shamrock Rovers. He made 136 appearances for the Rovers, scoring 12 goals, and featured 11 times in the UEFA Conference League. Manager Jim Goodwin was pleased to welcome Farrugia to Tannadice, highlighting that he will fit United’s “tactical framework”. “He is comfortable operating on both sides of the pitch and offers real value in our progression phase. He carries the ball effectively from deep, understands when to hold width, when to attack inside, and delivers accurately from good areas.” “His ability to play off either foot also allows us to avoid becoming predictable, especially against teams who defend in a low block” “He also brings vast experience from different environments, having played almost 200 senior games back home in Ireland under the demands of consistent success, featured regularly in high-profile European competition and tested himself down south throughout the past year.” “At 26, he is at an age where he understands the game well but still has scope to improve within our structure. I’m delighted to have him at my disposal.” The deal is subject to international clearance; upon completion, Farrugia would be available for the Scottish Cup clash against Ayr United on Saturday afternoon.
Dundee sign experienced defender
Dundee have completed the signing of English right-back Bradley Halliday, who joins Steven Pressley’s side on a two-and-a-half-year deal from Bradford City and will wear the number 16.. The transfer is subject to international clearance. The 30-year-old joined Bradford City in 2022 and since joining has made 173 appearances, scoring 8 goals. During his time at The Bantams, the experienced defender was included in the EFL League Two Team of the Season for 2023/24, was also named Bradford City’s Player of the Year for the 2023/24 campaign and as a reward for his performances last season, was named in the PFA League Two Team of the Year. Halliday on signing for Dundee: “I’m delighted to finally be up here. My best mate in football (Joe Wright) was at Kilmarnock last year, he’s gave me his insight and experience on the Scottish Premiership, I’m really excited and can’t wait to get going.”
Dundee sign Joel Cotterill
Dundee have completed the signing of Welsh midfielder Joel Cotterill, who joins on a loan deal from Swansea City until the end of the season and will wear the number 24. The transfer is subject to international clearance. Joel spent the first part of the season on loan at English League Two side Bristol Rovers, where he featured in 13 matches, 10 of those being from the start. Joel on signing for The Dark Blues: “It’s a good feeling, nice to be here. I had a Zoom call with the gaffer, was really interesting, said nothing but good things about the club, that really hooked me in. Obviously knowing Cam (Congreve), Yan (Dhanda) and Joe Westley helped, I had a few chats with Cam who spoke highly about his time up here so far and would be really good for me, ready for a new challenge.”
Tuur Rommens joins Rangers on three-and-a-half-year deal
Rangers have signed Tuur Rommens on a three-and-a-half-year deal after completing his medical at the weekend. The left-back joins the Ibrox club from Westerlo for a reported fee of £3.5 million and becomes Danny Rohl’s second signing of the January transfer window. The 22-year-old started his career at Genk and played in the Belgian Pro League nearly 80 times. At international level, he is currently the captain of the Belgium Under-21s and has made nine appearances for them. Rommens is fit and ready for selection and could feature against Annan Athletic in the Scottish Cup this Friday, but his minutes will be managed as he has just recovered from a knock. Speaking to the Rangers club website, Rommens was over the moon to have signed for the Gers and can’t wait to get started: “I’m very happy to be here. It’s a dream to play for a club like this, and I only have positive feelings. “Everyone knows Rangers, and when a club like this is interested in you, then you want to be part of this club. The most important thing is that they believe in me, and that’s why I have come here. “It’s a big club with a lot of fans, and they always play in Europe. It was very easy for me to make this choice.” Rohl believes Rommens will be an important asset for the Light Blues for the future, he told the club website: “I am delighted to welcome Tuur to the club. “He is a young and hungry player who adds real quality and physicality to the group and increases competition in a key area of the pitch. “We believe he will be a fantastic addition to the side and an important asset in the years ahead.”
Chelsea vs Arsenal – Match Preview
Arsenal face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final. The last meeting between these side came in November, where it ended 1-1. Moises Caicedo was shown a red card before half-time, but Chelsea hit the front early in the second period through Trevoh Chalobah. Arsenal equalised before the hour mark through Mikel Merino but couldn’t find a winner against 10-man Chelsea. Arsenal’s recent record against Chelsea is impressive. Mikel Arteta’s men have not lost to Chelsea in their last 8 meetings, the last time Chelsea won a match in this fixture came back in August 2021. Chelsea come into this fixture off the back of a 5-1 win against English Championship outfit Charlton in Liam Rosenior’s first game in charge of Chelsea. However, Chelsea haven’t beaten Premier League opposition in their last 5 attempts, drawing 3 and losing 2. Arsenal come into this fixture off the back of a 4-1 win against Championship outfit Portsmouth. Since losing to Aston Villa in early December, The Gunners have gone on an unbeaten run, winning 6 and drawing 2, with one of those draws coming against Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup, where they won on penalties. The hosts kicked off their EFL Cup campaign with a 2-1 win in Lincoln. Tyrique George and Facundo Buonanotte got the goals. In the following round, Chelsea beat Wolves 4-3. Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, Estevao and Jamie Gittens all got on the scoresheet. In the quarter final, The Blues beat English League One outfit Cardiff City 3-1. Alejandro Garnacho scared a brace and Pedro Neto also scored. Mikel Arteta’s side kicked off their EFL Cup campaign with a 2-0 win against Port Vale. Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard got the goals. In the following round, Arsenal beat Brighton 2-0 in North London. Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka got the goals. And in the quarter-final, Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 8-7 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo will miss the first leg of this semi-final through suspension. Chelsea may also be without Cole Palmer. The 23-year-old is reportedly likely to miss the first leg due to a chronic groin injury. Arsenal ITK Hand of Arsenal confirmed that both Leandro Trossard and William Saliba were both rested against Portsmouth and defender Cristhian Mosquera is closing in on a return. Liam Rosenior on Arsenal: “Arsenal are good at everything. They’re a good team. You have to manage your 1% to be as good a team as you can, to win in as many different ways as possible. “I respect them, and I think they’ll respect us because we’re a good team as well. They’re a team who are very good without the ball. “They have a really, really clear idea of the way they want to play with the ball. And on top of that, they’re very well-organised with good deliveries on set-plays. That’s what you want to be if you want to be successful.” Mikel Arteta on Arsenal’s win against Portsmouth: “It’s always tough to go into these places, especially in the manner that we started the game, conceding the early goal, but we managed to turn things around, so I’m very happy. “[Making changes] is always tricky. You lack that cohesion; certain players as well haven’t played that many minutes, but a lot of positives to take from the game, apart from the win.”
Craig Gordon – Hearts Hero?
Craig Gordon delivered yet another late-game moment of magic for Hearts last weekend, reminding everyone that age is just a number in football. In a tense Scottish Premiership battle at Dens Park, Hearts went ahead through Claudio Braga’s strike, but they were soon reduced to ten men after first-choice keeper Alexander Schwolow was sent off just before half-time. That’s when Gordon, now 43 and making his first appearance this season, was called into action and he stepped up to the challenge with a good save just before the end of the half. But it was stoppage time when the magic happened. Dundee were desperately pushing for an equaliser, and Gordon produced a stunning reflex save to claw away Emile Acquah’s downward header and secure a priceless 1-0 victory for Hearts. It was a moment of brilliance that preserved all three points and kept Hearts firmly in the title hunt and it may prove to be the pivotal moment for the Jambos come the end of the season. What made the save so special wasn’t just the timing in those dying seconds of a crucial match but also the sheer athleticism on display from the goalkeeper. After coming on from the bench and immediately having to deal with pressure moments, Gordon showed the kind of sharp reactions that defy expectations at his age. Fans and former players were quick to praise the Scotland international, comparing his late-game intervention to some of the greatest goalkeeping moments in the sport. Former Hearts player Ryan Stevenson said “Every player is running to congratulate Craig Gordon. That’s one of the best saves I’ve ever seen. Unbelievable”. That talk of “greatest saves” naturally brings us back to one of the defining moments of Gordon’s career, his incredible stop for Sunderland against Bolton Wanderers back in December 2010. In a Premier League match at the Stadium of Light, Gordon somehow managed to deny Bolton’s Zat Knight from point blank range in first-half stoppage time. That full-stretch save was later voted the best save in the first 20 years of the Premier League, an accolade that speaks volumes about its quality Craig Gordon continues to remind us why he’s one of the most respected goalkeepers of his generation and potentially a hero after Sunday’s game for Hearts.
