The Hoops ran out 4-1 winners in under the Celtic Park lights in the Premier Sports Cup
(Image: SNS Group)
Brendan Rodgers had his club tie back on – and his Celtic side left Falkirk in knots in a 4-1 Premier Sports Cup pummelling.
The Hoops gaffer laughed off the conspiracy theories surrounding his choice of clothing at Pittodrie last weekend.
He was suited and booted again for the Bairns – and his team looked sharp as well.
The holders had a stranglehold on Falkirk from start to finish as they produced their most polished performance of the season to soar into the last eight.
Daizen Maeda grabbed his first goal of the season, Alistair Johnston and youngster Dane Murray extended the lead before Liam Henderson’s unfortunate own goal from sub Yang’s cross made it 4-0.
Keelan Adams slammed a stunning consolation into the top corner and while the Bairns had their moments on the break, it was a impressive show of power from the Parkhead men.
Rodgers made six changes with next week’s Champions League showdown with FC Kairat in mind but it was far from a weakened team and it could have been way worse for Falkirk as the bumper crowd at Parkhead enjoyed a Friday night party.
Maeda’s diving header started the rout when he buried a headed assist from the impressive Kieran Tierney.
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda celebrates with Kieran Tierney and Arne Engels after scoring to make it 1-0 (Image: SNS Group)
Johnston’s curled in a left-footed beauty after Luke McCowan’s brilliant pressing and Murray’s thumping header from Arne Engel’s corner put the Hoops out of sight before the own goal and Adams’ ripper.
Celtic may still be searching for reinforcements but they are finding form going into the Europe.
Celtic just warming up
Celtic have been unbeaten in the league so far but hadn’t really caught fire. They were red hot here though and it was everything Rodgers likes to see from his team.
The passing was quick and slick, the pressing was relentless and the Hoops could have had this one wrapped up long before they did.
There’s been so much made of the gaps in the squad – and they do need attacking reinforcements – but there’s already so much quality that can do serious damage when they are in the mood.
Rodgers rotated his squad with Europe in mind – but were still way too strong for Falkirk.
Arne Engels and Luke McCowan were handed starts and the pair impressed, while keeper Viljami Sinisalo continues to look every bit a future No.1 with a couple of really smart saves.
Kieran Tierney was a surprise starter, but he needed more minutes and is looking sharper by the second.
The returning hero was brilliant against the Bairns and Celtic are moving up the gears ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League showdown with FC Kairat.
Maeda up and running
Last year’s player of the season has made a slightly slow start to the season by his own high standards.
He might be getting used to being back on the wing and a new role tactically alongside Tierney, but he was back to his blistering best again here.
Maeda tore into Falkirk and if he wasn’t torturing defenders he was busting gut to get back to help out his defence.
He opened his goal account for the term in typical fashion, finding a pocket of space and throwing himself to get on the end of Tierney’s knockdown.
Maeda scored six goals on the way to lifting the League Cup last term and ended up with 34 for the entire campaign.
There’s been talk about a possible exit before the window shuts but it’s absolutely unthinkable Celts selling their main talisman.
Kenny in the mix
There’s been so much made of Celtic’s search for another striker but the Irishman was given his chance to impress.
Kenny will have been kicking himself at slashing an early chance wide but he was lively across the line and held the ball up well to allow the likes of James Forrest and Maeda to bomb into the box.
He’s still raw and there’s definitely more to come from the 22-year-old. But the big question now is, has he thrown himself into the mix to start against Kairat on Wednesday?
Murray mint
What a day it was for the big defender. New three year contract announced in the morning followed by a start and a goal at night.
Dane Murray has had more than his fare share of rotten luck in his career with a couple of horror injuries that held back his progress after being thrust into the side in the early days under former boss Ange Postegolou.
Celtic’s Dane Murray (Image: SNS Group)
The addition of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey had added more competition at centre back but Murray’s displays in pre-season and again here suggests he has a big future at Celtic.
The 22-year-old has bulked up but is comfortable on the ball and a major presence in both boxes, proven with his thumping header for the third.
Bairns WILL bounce back
The Bairns got battered but it wasn’t a total one-way street. Falkirk struggled to get the ball off Celtic and when they did they were guilty of giving it away far too often.
Yet they did manage to create the odd moment of menace. Ex-Celt Calvin Miller forced Sinisalo into a stunning save with a sizzling dig from distance and Henry Cartwright wasn’t far away either in a couple of threatening moments on the counter before Adams nailed one when it was too late.
John McGlynn’s men got overwhelmed eventually but there were positives to take into the Premiership.
It’s been a difficult start for the Bairns and they are going to have to tighten up at the back if they are to avoid a stressful season.
Either way, Falkirk are going to be great to watch this term.