Tomas Cvancara marked his home debut with the breakthrough goal as Celtic held off a stubborn Falkirk challenge to move second in the Scottish Premiership.
Czech striker Cvancara, signed on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach, glanced in a brilliant header to open his Celtic account before Benjamin Nygren’s whipped effort gave the hosts daylight in the second half.
Victory moves Celtic above Rangers on goals scored, and ensures Martin O’Neill remains unbeaten domestically since returning to the dugout, although they are still six points behind leaders Hearts.
When these two sides met in Falkirk a few weeks ago, Celtic were considered a little lucky to come away with a 1-0 win.
This time they were simply more clinical than their visitors, who had more shots and carried a threat throughout in a brave, battling performance.
It took a while for O’Neill’s side to click and Falkirk almost took advantage when they had chances though Barney Stewart and Louie Marsh, but both were well saved by Kasper Schmeichel.
Once Celtic got their second, their tails were up and they almost had a third through Nygren, but Scott Bain produced a fine save.
Sebastian Tounekti also had the ball in the net, but Daizen Maeda was offside earlier in the move when he blocked the ball on the goalline.