Falkirk had not beaten Celtic in 19 years. They did it on Sunday with two goals, one great goalkeeper and a defence that Celtic helped to pick apart. The 2-0 win at the Falkirk Stadium lifts John McGlynn's side to fourth in the Scottish Premiership and leaves the league leaders with plenty to explain.
Two goals, both of them Celtic's making
The opener came from Falkirk's very first attack. Cameron Carter-Vickers, back in the side, played a careless pass that landed straight at Ethan Ross, and Ross slammed it in from close range. It was a gift, and Celtic have been handing those out all month.
The second was far better. Owen Eames threaded a pass through the middle and Scott Tanser burst clear before finishing with a calm, tidy shot. It arrived before half-time and Celtic's back line looked as if it had been cut open with scissors.
Bain keeps the door shut
Celtic did have chances, more than enough of them. Camilo Duran raced in behind and hit the far post, and from the rebound Haissem Hassan's curling effort was saved brilliantly by Falkirk goalkeeper Scott Bain. That was the first of many. Bain made save after save as the visitors changed personnel and chased the game, and by the end it had become almost comical. He was the player of the match on the BBC's ratings, scoring 8.83 on average, and McGlynn thanked him by name, saying the team needed him to have the game of his life.
What it says about Celtic
Martin O'Neill's side now have three wins from their last 10 games and a single clean sheet in that run. They conceded inside the opening minutes twice in a week, which makes everything harder, and they failed to stretch their four-point lead at the top. O'Neill said afterwards he felt his team created enough chances to win three games and simply did not take any of them, a verdict that is hard to argue with after watching Bain play.
The fixture list does not offer a rest. Celtic host Besiktas in the Europa League next, a competition in which they have lost all three matches so far. The pressure is rising quickly at Celtic Park.
Falkirk's milestone
For Falkirk the day was a landmark. They arrived on the back of three straight wins, something they never managed in the top flight last season, and now they have four. Their last victory over Celtic came in March 2007, and McGlynn praised the work-rate and desire his players showed. The Bairns have a clear, simple way of playing and a goalkeeper in the form of his life, which is a good place to start.
Match facts: Falkirk 2-0 Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Falkirk Stadium, Sunday 1 November 2026. Goals: Ethan Ross (Falkirk), early, from the home side's first attack; Scott Tanser (Falkirk), before half-time. Falkirk's first win over Celtic since March 2007. Falkirk move to fourth; Celtic stay top, four points clear.
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