Celtic lose to Falkirk but stay four points clear at the top
Celtic lost to Falkirk on Sunday, yet they still sit four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, Scotland's top flight. It was their sixth defeat in 10 matches in all competitions. On the pitch, the numbers looked strange. Celtic had 24 shots to Falkirk's six, and nine of them were on target, meaning they forced a save or went in. Falkirk had two shots on target, and both of their goals were enough.
Celtic also won 14 corners to Falkirk's none. Corners are a sign of pressure, because they come when the attacking side sends the ball behind the defence. Chances are one thing. Turning them into goals is another, and on Sunday that did not happen for Celtic.
The defeat came three days after a 2-2 draw with Dundee United on Wednesday. Camilo Durán had opened the scoring for Celtic at Paradise after 18 minutes in that game. Two dropped points in a week would have been a bad run for any side, and the frustration showed afterwards.
Former players did not hold back. Chris Sutton said on Sky Sports that Celtic, as a club and a team, are in regression, meaning they are going backwards. Kris Boyd said he could not see what Celtic were trying to do. Ian McCall said that Cameron Carter-Vickers, Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor and James Forrest are not quite what they were.
Martin O'Neill, Celtic's interim manager, which means he is in charge on a temporary basis, took a different view. He said Celtic are in a better position after 12 Premiership games than they were at the same stage last season. Then, they were four points behind leaders Hearts. O'Neill has been in the job before. He stepped into the dugout twice and led Celtic to a league and cup double last season.
Europe is the sore spot. Celtic have started their Europa League campaign, the second tier of European club football, with three defeats. The most recent was a 2-1 loss to Celta Vigo, after which O'Neill said his side "have to find a way to win in Europe". Their Champions League hopes ended in August, when LASK beat them 5-1. Celtic's next match is at home to Beşiktaş in the Europa League.
There have been bright spots. On 18 October, Celtic beat Hearts 7-1, and O'Neill said he was absolutely delighted to see his side win in that style. Last season they beat Hearts 3-1 on the final day to take the title. Celtic are now expected to face both of their title rivals at Celtic Park, which means the next few weeks could decide a lot.
