Celtic recall Welsh from Motherwell loan

Celtic have boosted their defensive options by recalling Stephen Welsh from his loan at Motherwell. The 25-year-old signed a season-long loan deal on Deadline Day and made 17 appearances for the Fir Park side. He impressed in Jens Berthel Askou’s defence, helping them to 4th place, and achieving 9 clean sheets. Motherwell confirmed the recall on their website earlier today, stating, ‘We want to thank Stephen for his hard work during his time at Motherwell and wish him the very best for the future.’ Welsh becomes Celtic’s second January move, after completing a loan deal for Bournemouth right back Julián Araujo. Martin O’Neill is still without the stalwart defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, so both could become key cogs for the Scottish champions. O’Neill’s latest interim reign got off to the perfect start, with a commanding 4-0 home victory over Dundee United. They return to league action against Falkirk on Wednesday.

St Mirren 0-2 Falkirk: Impressive Bairns secure all three points in Paisley

St Mirren 0-2 Falkirk Yeats 55’, Miller 61’ Falkirk earned a second successive victory in a comfortable performance over struggling St Mirren at the SMISA Stadium. The home side made two changes to the team that lost to Motherwell last week, as Liam Donnelly and Fraser Taylor replaced the suspended Alex Gogic and Jayden Richardson. Falkirk made one change to the side that beat Aberdeen last Saturday as Henry Cartwright replaced Kyrell Wilson. Despite chances for both sides in the opening period of the game, neither possessed the cutting edge to take advantage, as Dylan Tait’s deflected effort clipped the Saints’ crossbar to give Falkirk the best chance of the half. Liam Donnelly’s place in the starting eleven was cut short as he was substituted for Richardson after only 28 minutes due to a suspected shoulder injury. St Mirren faced more injury concerns as Killian Philips and Declan John were also unable to. They continued and were replaced by Scott Tanser at halftime and new signing Allan Campbell. The Bairns broke the deadlock only 10 minutes into the second half as Finn Yeats’ stunning 35-yard finish looped over the onrushing Shamal George into the St Mirren net as the Falkirk away support celebrated behind the goal. This was Yeats’ first goal of the season. They did not have to wait long for the second goal as only six minutes later, Calvin Miller picked up the ball from the edge of the box and slammed a powerful right-footed shot past George to give Falkirk a two-goal advantage only 16 minutes into the second half. This was Miller’s sixth goal in what has been an impressive season for the 28-year-old. The hosts struggled to gain any control in the last half hour of the match as Falkirk expertly saw the game out for a comfortable 2-0 victory. Following this result, St Mirren are without a win in their last four games and remain in tenth place, only four points above Kilmarnock in the relegation playoff spot. They next face a difficult trip to the capital as they face league leaders Hearts on a Wednesday night kick-off. Falkirk secured back-to-back wins for only the second time this season as they sit in the crucial sixth-placed spot in the league table, five points above Dundee United in seventh. They host Celtic on Wednesday, 7:45 kick-off, as the visitors look to restart their title charge in Martin O’Neill’s second interim spell in charge.   St Mirren: George (4), Fraser (5), King (4), Freckleton (5), McMenamin (4), Philips (6), Donnelly (5), Taylor (4), John (4), N’Lundulu (4), Mandron (5) Subs: Richardson (5), Campbell (5), Tanser (4), Mullen (5), Dijksteel (5) Falkirk: Bain (8), Lissah (8), Allan (8), Henderson (8), McCann (8), Spencer (8), Cartwright (7), Tait (7), Yeats (9), Miller (9), Stewart (7) Subs: Williams (6), Ross (6), Parkinson (6), Wilson (6), Donaldson (N/A)

Hibernian 1-1 Motherwell: Close range Bowie strike earns point for Hibees

Hibernian 1-1 Motherwell Bowie (69′)  Maswanhise (52′) Motherwell remained two points clear of Hibernian in 4th place, after an entertaining 1-1 draw at Easter Road. The hosts started on the front foot, eager to add a fourth straight league victory and leapfrog Motherwell into fourth place. Kieron Bowie had the game’s first chance. He stretched to meet Jordan Obita’s cross after neat interplay with Jamie McGrath, but could not steer his header goal from the back post. Obita delivered another teasing delivery on the 15-minute mark, but alertness from Emmanuel Longelo nullified the threat of the big striker. The visitors have impressed with their free-flowing football across the opening 21 games, but chances were few and far between in the opening 20 minutes. Jens Berthel Askou would have been further displeased to see Stephen O’Donnell hobble off during their quiet spell. Obita lashed over the bar after a penalty box stramash as they continued to press towards the opening goal. David Gray’s side had established a grip on proceedings at Easter Road. Josh Mulligan then rolled Elie Youan through on Ward’s goal in the 25th minute. The striker managed two goals at Rugby Park last Saturday, but got the ball stuck under his feet, and the danger was cleared. Motherwell looked like a threat in the final 15 minutes of the first half. Tom Sparrow jinxed past several green bodies in the box, but Raphael Sallinger was alert to tip his curling left-footed strike away from goal. The Austrian gathered a 20-yard Elijah Just freekick minutes later, as the visitors began to build openings. Askou will be pleased to reclaim the services of Tawanda Maswanhise from AFCON. The striker has nine league goals this campaign, and showed electric pace to work a dangerous opening in the 38th minute. After leaving a Hibs defender on the floor, his strike from the right-hand side of the box was tipped away by Sallinger. The visitors opened the scoring seven minutes into the second half. Elijah Just broke towards the Hibs defence, picking out the onrushing Maswanshise on the right-hand side. The Zimbabwean striker was afforded too much time by the hosts, and lashed a low right-footed strike across Sallinger’s goal and into the bottom corner, to send the sell-out away end into frenzy. Gray and Hibs would have been especially frustrated to lose the goal after Bowie had missed a headed chance seconds before. But HIbs and Bowie roared back with 20 minutes to play. Obita latched onto a stray Tom Sparrow diagonal ball. He picked out the Hibs number 9 in the box, who powered home from close range to equalise, and set up a thrilling finale Motherwell had established better control in the second period, and despite the setback, continued to look the most likely to find a winner. Ibrahim Said almost reclaimed the visitors’ lead after heading Calum Slattery’s cross wide at the near post, before Maswanhise’s strike was deflected over with ten minutes to play. Sallinger produced a brilliant save in additional time to deny Longelo. After Maswanhise’s mishit, the ball broke to Longelo on the left-hand side of the box, but the Austrian goalkeeper got down low to smother the right-footed strike and maintain the level scores. Hibernian: Sallinger 8 O’Hora 7 Hanley 7 Iredale 7 Megwa 6 Mulligan 6 Barlaser 8 McGrath 7 Obita 6 Youan 7 Bowie 7 Substitutes: Hoilett 6 Cadden 5 Klidje 5 Levitt 3 Newell 3 Motherwell: Ward 7 O’Donnell 6 Welsh 7 McGinn 7 Longelo 7 Priestman 7 Fadinger 7 Sparrow 6 Just 8 Said 7 Maswanhise 8 Substitutes: Koutroumbis 5 Slattery 5 McGhee 3  Gordon 3

World Cup Hopefuls, Relegation Scraps, and Returning Managers: SPFL Matchday 21 Breakdown

Another massive weekend of Scottish Premiership football awaits. Here are the main talking points ahead of the stacked card. Game of the Round – Livingston v Kilmarnock Neil McCann’s first match as Kilmarnock manager sees his side travel to West Lothian to face fellow strugglers Livingston. This relegation clash could have huge implications, with Killie aiming to move seven points clear of bottom spot and begin an ascent towards the automatic safety spots. In his first interview with Kilmarnock TV, McCann said he aims to “unite the fans with the players again”, as they look to record their first league victory for 14 games. They face bottom side Livingston, who have also struggled for wins, their sole victory of the campaign coming against Falkirk in early August. At the time, the 3-1 result moved Davie Martindale’s side to the summit of the Premiership, but after an 18-game winless run, and the worst defence in the league, survival is beginning to look bleak for the Lions. Victory for either side could be the catalyst for a pivotal run-in; a relegation six-pointer awaits fans at the Set Fare Arena this Saturday. Player to Watch – Grant Hanley In the wake of Motherwell’s 2-0 November victory over Hibs, manager Jens Berthel Askou addressed the post-match media with an intriguing line. ‘We cut out the supply from their midfielder, leaving (Grant) Hanley to bring the ball forward. It set up the running duel with JT (Tawanda Maswanhise) and Hanley up top when we had the ball.’ Choosing to single out an opposing player is rare for a manager, and the comment was even highlighted as “disrespectful” by BBC pundit Ian McCall. As if Easter Road’s mouthwatering clash between 4th and 5th was not enough, Askou’s comments should add an interesting edge: how will David Gray’s side, particularly Hanley, respond to the challenge on Saturday afternoon? The Scottish international will be gearing up for a potential career-defining year, aiming to secure his seat on the plane to America as part of Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad, representing the national side on the biggest stage for the first time since 1998. Team in the Spotlight – Celtic 38 days after overseeing a 1-0 home triumph against Dundee, Martin O’Neill returns to the Celtic hotseat for his third spell in charge of the Scottish champions. His interim tenure was a success, achieving an unbeaten domestic streak, tying Hearts at the summit of the table, and securing a stunning away European victory in Feyenoord. But after closing the chaotic chapter of Wilfried Nancy, Celtic have turned back to the club hero, trusting that his experience, alongside Shaun Maloney, can help shift their fortunes and push towards a fifth straight league title. The visitors will also be keen to bounce back from recent troubles, as Jim Goodwin’s side lost the second Dundee Derby of the season at Tannadice last weekend. The defeat at Tannadice dropped the Tangerines into the bottom six, and they will be eager to bounce back from the result as soon as possible

‘I’m extremely happy to be here’ – Jens Berthel Askou

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou insists his side is embracing the ‘good attention’ from the media, following recent speculation linking the Dane with a move away from the club. Speaking to the media ahead of Saturday’s clash against Hibernian, Askou understands the speculation following his side’s impressive league start. “I think for everyone who is involved in football, and in a football club that is performing really well, and also better than people would have expected, it is natural that the players and staff get linked with other jobs.” Motherwell sit fourth in the Scottish Premiership, and recently achieved a statement home victory over Celtic. The 2-0 win was the latest example of the manager’s tactical astuteness, after his side dominated the Scottish champions. ‘It is not the first time, and it’s not going to be the last time, sometimes you get linked with getting sacked if you are not winning enough games, then that’s the story in the media.’ ‘It is hard for us to control what somebody puts in a tweet, and then suddenly it’s a story, and suddenly it’s the truth.’ ‘We take all the good attention that comes from us doing well, and then we try to use that as positive energy; it puts a smile on our face when we wake up in the morning.’ Askou’s only focus is to improve his talented Motherwell side, who can move five points clear in fourth place with a victory at Easter Road on Saturday afternoon. ‘The main thing that is important for us is that we can see and feel that we are getting better, and that we are getting closer to the goal that we have within this building’ ‘I’m like everyone else here, really enjoying what we’re doing and want to see how far we can take it’ Hibernian v Motherwell Easter Road Jan 10 3pm

Burnley 2-2 Man Utd: Fletcher’s interim spell begins with thrilling draw

Burnley 2-2 Manchester United Heaven (13′ og) Anthony (66′)  Sesko (50′, 60′) A stunning Jaidon Anthony strike secured struggling Burnley a point against Manchester United, who had momentarily taken the lead through a Benjamin Sesko double. The visitors created numerous chances in the first period, but Burnley took the lead with a stroke of luck. Bashir Humphreys escaped from Casemiro down the Burnley left. After aiming his left-footed cross towards the penalty box, the ball took a massive deflection off United youngster Ayden Heaven. The defender’s meek effort to block the cross looped over the helpless Senne Lammens and into his own net. Despite the setback, Fletcher’s side improved and had the ball in the net on the half-hour mark. Lisandro Martinez fired past Martin Dubravka in a busy penalty box, but was adjudged to have handled Kyle Walker in the penalty box, pushing the former Man City defender to the ground. Brilliant Burnley defending kept the hosts’ slender lead at the break, with Bashir Humphreys and Maxime Esteve desperately clearing two efforts off the line. The latter was United’s best chance of the half, Bruno Fernandes released Patrick Dorgu into the Burnley box, but after chipping over the onrushing Martin Dubravka, Esteve delivered a vital clearance. Fletcher’s halftime words created an immediate impact, as they levelled in the 50th minute. Fernandes picked up a dangerous pocket on the right edge of the Burnley box. The Portuguese midfielder showed tremendous vision to roll Sesko through on goal, whose right-footed strike rippled Dubravka’s bottom corner, delighting the large travelling support. The Slovenian added his second of the game on the hour mark. He showed confidence to side-foot Dorgu’s pinpoint cross from the left past Dubravka from 12 yards. The goal was a moment of great quality, from the accuracy of the ball to the crispness of Sesko’s volley. Despite turning the game in their favour, United were made to pay for more dismal defending. Substitute Anthony easily moved away from Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez in the box, before unleashing a darting left-footed strike into the top corner. The draw leaves Burnley eight points from safety, whilst Fletcher’s United side remain in sixth. Burnley: Dubravka, Laurent, Esteve, Humphreys, Walker, Ugochukwu, Florentino, Pires, Edwards (Sonne 92′) Mejbri (Anthony 58′) Broja (Foster 76′) Manchester United: Lammens, Dalot, Heaven (Yoro 61′) Martínez, Shaw, Ugarte (Lacey 84′) Casemiro (Mainoo 74′) Cunha (Zirkzee 74′) Fernandes (Mount 61′) Dorgu, Sesko

Rangers 2-0 Aberdeen: Rohl’s Men overcome Managerless Dons to move Second

Rangers 2-0 Aberdeen Fernandez (11′). Raskin (41′) First-half headers from Emmanuel Fernandez and Nico Raskin secured a fourth straight league win for Rangers, as they continue their climb towards the summit of the Scottish Premiership. The home side, inspired by their derby day victory over Celtic, started on the front foot, looking to leapfrog their fierce rivals into second place. Former Aberdeen youngster Connor Barron almost capitalised on a Dimitar Mitov mistake in the opening minutes, but could not direct his strike on goal from James Tavernier’s free-kick. The lead arrived in the 10th minute thanks to Emmanuel Fernandez. The defender added his fifth goal of the season after leaping to convert Barron’s inswinging corner kick. Mitov claimed to be handled by Mikey Moore, but Nick Walsh quickly confirmed the opener. Despite the routine start for the hosts, Kenan Bilalovic discovered a golden chance to strike level. Nicky Devlin’s hopeful ball split the Rangers’ backline, allowing Bilalovic to stride towards Jack Butland’s goal. But a poor touch from the Swede gave the goalkeeper precious time to gather. Danny Rohl’s side reestablished their dominance, with half-chances for Barron and derby hero Mikey Moore, but Bilalovic would have yet another golden opportunity on the half-hour mark. Kevin Nisbet dispossessed Nico Raskin, and after racing toward goal, he squared to his fellow attacker. Once more, the Swede was unable to sort his feet, and the chance slipped away. Mitov was alert to tip Tavernier’s whipping free kick over the bar as the game trickled towards halftime. Rangers had enjoyed plenty of possession since the Fernandez header, but were unable to fashion clear-cut chances throughout the first period. That was until Raskin converted Barron’s latest delivery in the 40th minute. The Belgian midfielder darted towards the front post from the right-sided corner and headed across Mitov to double the Gers’ advantage. A frustrating end to the half for interim Aberdeen boss Peter Leven, whose side had disappointingly conceded from almost identical set pieces. Raskin should have converted another set piece, this time from Tavernier, with seconds to play in the half. But it was so far so good for Rohl’s rejuvenated side. Rangers continued to control the game in a comfortable second-half display. The incoming Thelo Aasgaard tested Mitov with a left-footed strike as the clock ticked towards the hour mark. Beforehand, Tavernier had jinked away from Graeme Shinnie on the edge of the box, but his right-footed strike rose over the bar. Jack Butland had to be alert to tip Nisbet’s looping header around the post in a rare Aberdeen attack, before Dante Polvara headed over from the resultant corner. With ten minutes to play, Mitov produced a tremendous finger-tip save from Raskin’s darting 20-yard strike, which looked set to ripple the side-netting. Victory secured 2nd spot for Rangers, who will meet managerless Aberdeen again next Sunday in the league. It remains to be seen if the Dons will have their man or if Leven will still be in the dugout. Rangers: Butland 7 Tavernier 7 Souttar 7 Fernandez 8 Meghoma 7 Barron 9 Raskin 9 Diomande 7 Gassama 7 Chermiti 6 Moore 7 Substitutes: Aasgaard 6 Miovski 6 Sterling 6 Aarons 4 Danilo 4 Aberdeen: Mitov 4 Devlin 5 Milne 6 Knoester 5 Gyamfi 5 Shinnie 5 Kjartansson 5 Polvara 5 Armstrong 6 Bilalovic 3 Nisbet 5 Substitutes: Lazetic 4 Clarkson 4 Karlsson 4 Jensen 3 Keskinen 3

SNN Journalist’s Midseason Scottish Premiership Awards

With the Scottish Premiership season ticking over the halfway mark, our team of journalists looked at their current standouts from this unpredictable campaign. Signing of the Season Mack Kelly – Alexandros Kyziridis: It is out of him and Braga realistically, but for the same reasons mentioned above, I just think Kyziridis looks a better football player than Braga, despite the G/A complimenting Braga more.  Craig Baigrie – Elijah Just: A both player and signing of the season, he scores important goals. Offers pace and direct play that helps drive Motherwell forward, and his adaptation to Scottish football is very impressive. Rhys Livingstone – Alexandros Kyzridis Cameron Caldwell – Stuart Findlay: The former Kilmarnock man has formed a formidable partnership with fellow centre-back Craig Halkett, not to mention his four league goals, including a late winner at Tannadice, and opener against Rangers. Declan Tumblety – Josh Mulligan: Hibernian getting him on a free could go down as one of the best bits of business for years to come in this league; they look a completely different side when he’s in and out of the team. Hibs have been crying out for a John McGinn replacement ever since he left, and they might’ve just found him – until they sell Mulligan for millions and have to look again. Liam Smith – Claudio Braga   Manager of the Season Mack Kelly – Jens Berthel Askou: Nobody expected Motherwell to do as well as they did, even when results weren’t going his way, you could see what he was trying to implement, and the steel men are reaping the rewards from that just now. Craig Baigrie – Derek McInnes: as manager of the season because of the consistency of results from Hearts. In the 40 years where only Old Firm teams have won the league, there’s been next to no serious competition from other clubs, but this is the first genuine title push for many years outside Rangers and Celtic Rhys Livingstone – Jens Berthel Askou Cameron Caldwell – Jens Berthel Askou: From their opening day draw against Rangers, the progression that the Danish manager has installed has been mightily impressive. He is working on a smaller budget compared to his rival managers and has improved stalwarts such as Stephen O’Donnell and Paul McGinn. Simply – Askou will not be at the Fir Park for long. Declan Tumblety – Jens Berthel Askou: Derek McInnes narrowly misses out here, but JBA has taken Motherwell from bottom-six regulars to a side people genuinely fear to come up against. An outstanding appointment where it looks unlikely he will remain in Lanarkshire for long. Liam Smith – Jens Berthel Askou   Team of the Season Mack Kelly – Motherwell: seems incredulous not to award it to Hearts despite them being 6 ahead, but I actually think they should be further ahead, as mad as that sounds, due to the state of Celtic and Rangers and their results against them, as for Motherwell, they made a semi-final, albeit the result was embarrassing, and could leapfrog Celtic and Rangers themselves. JBA is pulling up trees with a lesser squad, and if they can keep him, the sky is the limit going forward, despite their limited resources Craig Baigrie – Hearts: From the analytics and the smart signings to how well the team has been able to gel together, the improvement of players already there, especially Cammy Devlin, is huge. Rhys Livingstone – Hearts Cameron Caldwell – Motherwell: Between the Jambos and the Steelmen, for me, I edge towards Motherwell because of their lesser budget and tremendous style of play. Declan Tumblety – Hearts: It really pains me to write that as a Hibs fan, but we’re into the new year now and they’re still top of the league. Whilst I still don’t think they’ll go all the way, they raise the question with every week that passes now. It’s absurd that a team outside of Glasgow is six points clear in January. Liam Smith – Motherwell   Player of the Season Mack Kelly – Alexandros Kyziridis: He is such an exciting player to watch and a massive cog in Hearts’ title push, always looking to make stuff happen and is such a dynamic asset. Craig Baigrie – Elijah Just Rhys Livingstone – Alexandros Kyzridis Cameron Caldwell – Alexandros Kyzridis: He is the difference maker in that Hearts XI, and has produced several key moments already this season (late Livingston winner, cross for Findlay’s goal vs Rangers). If McInnes’s side wins the league, the Greek winger will be a huge influence. Declan Tumblety – Lawrence Shankland: The current top scorer and captain of the league leaders. He looks back to his best after what seemed to be a blip last season Liam Smith – Tawanda Maswanhise

Martin O’Neill in as Celtic begin post-Nancy reset

The Celtic great oversaw the team just a matter of weeks before bowing out for Wilfried Nancy is now back in charge. Martin O’ Neill is just off the back of leading the Champions to seven wins from eight matches before Wilfried Nancy’s appointment. And after a complete disaster from the Frenchman, with six defeats in eight, the Celtic hierarchy had no choice but to pull the plug and sack him and the Sporting Director, Paul Tisdale, from their duties. After O’ Neill’s spell as interim manager just a few weeks ago, he said: “The reception I got was fantastic. My backroom staff have been sensational, but the game is still about players. “They’ve turned up and won the matches. We’ve had a number of injuries, and players have stepped up to the plate every single time. I’ve had the time of my life over the last five weeks. It’s five or six weeks that I will never ever forget” Celtic’s season has been one to forget so far, and with Nancy becoming the latest casualty, his departure felt inevitable as the supporters’ frustration was continuing to grow. However, this left pressure on the Celtic board to get the next appointment correct and get back to winning ways. With a packed fixture list approaching, Celtic had no room for any more errors or experiments, and the board have gone down the route of experience to steady the ship as they did after Brendan Rodgers’s departure. With O’ Neill’s attachment to the club already, considering the demands of what it takes to be Celtic boss, it made him the obvious candidate to come in and calm everything down. However, Celtic must now turn their attention to their next league fixture as the club’s search for a new manager comes to an end, with Martin O’Neill appointed to the role.

Falkirk 1-0 Aberdeen: Dominant Bairns Shoot into Top Six

Falkirk 1-0 Aberdeen Lissah (58′) Filip Lissah’s second-half header secured a deserved home victory for the Bairns against a passive Aberdeen side, who were unable to register a shot on target. The home side dominated large spells of the first half. Liam Henderson pounced on a Jack Milne pass just minutes in, and after feeding Calvin Millar on the left, he headed the resultant cross into Dimitar Mitov’s hands. The move set the tone for a one-sided first half, with Aberdeen looking increasingly fragile at the back. The visitors nearly registered an opening shortly after. Kenan Bilalovic, awarded with his first start, latched onto Jesper Karlsson’s forward pass, but his low delivery evaded Kevin Nisbet in the six-yard box. Henderson won a promising free kick for the Bairns after 9 minutes. Miller stepped up, whipping a dangerous left-footed strike, which looked set to finish in the bottom corner, but Mitov turned behind. Brad Spencer tested Mitov from the edge of the box after 12 minutes, as the home side continued their search for the opener. Falkirk’s dominance was largely down to the midfield pivot of Spencer and Dylan Tait, who had equal space and time to control proceedings from the centre of the park. The visiting support filled out the away section, and the sea of red voiced their disapproval of this passive performance. Spencer pounced on another slack ball from the visitors on the 20-minute mark, but Barney Stewart pushed his curling effort over the bar. Next, it was Miller’s turn to drive at the heart of the Dons’ defence three minutes later. He found Kyrell Wilson on the left edge of the box, who cut inside and struck from the edge of the box. Mitov momentarily tipped the effort into the air, but gathered the ball to keep the score goalless. Falkirk should have been ahead close to halftime. Another dangerous Spencer corner was dropped kindly for Miller in the box. From ten yards, the midfielder could not get his head over the ball as his strike sailed into the stands. The final chance of the half dropped to the visitors, Nisbet’s wayward strike drifted high into the Kevin McAllister Stand after a long Mitov ball. The Dons remained level as John Beaton blew his whistle for halftime, but would need vast improvements if they were to pick up a result. The Bairns finally found the breakthrough on the hour mark. Filip Lissah rose in the six-yard box to head home a left-sided set piece. The goal warranted the hosts’ positive display, delighting their large contingent of supporters. Nisbet nearly connected with Topi Keskinen’s low cross from the right moments later, after sensational skill from substitute Sivert Nilsen. The duo linked again in the 68th minute, with the striker’s header looking destined to nestle inside Scott Bain’s post. Thankfully for the hosts, the effort bounced off the post and trickled wide, maintaining their slender advantage. The hosts wrestled back control of the game and nearly sealed the game with mere minutes to play. Substitute Henry Cartwright drove at the Aberdeen defence, unleashing a low 25-yard strike which cannoned off the post and behind. Victory moves Falkirk into the top six, marking a perfect start to their 2026 campaign. They travel to Paisley to face a struggling St Mirren side next weekend. Jimmy Thelin and his Aberdeen side berated their side’s poor performance at full-time. A quick turnaround sees them travel to Ibrox on Tuesday evening, ahead of a double header with Rangers. Falkirk: Bain 8 Lissah 8 Allan 7 Henderson 9 McCann 8 Tait 8 Spencer 8 Yeats 8 Wilson 7 Miller 8 Stewart 7 Substitutes: Ross 7 Graham 6 Williams 6 Agyeman 6 Cartwright 6 Aberdeen: Mitov 6 Lobban 5 Knoester 6 Milne 6 Shinnie 4 Aouchiche 3 Armstrong 5 Bilalovic 4 Karlsson 5 Keskinen 5 Nisbet 5 Substitutes: Nilson 5 Polvara 5 Devlin 4 Milanovic 4 Lazetic 4