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martin o’neil celebrated it celtic Returning home with an impressive 4–0 win over Falkirk at Parkhead.
73 year old ex hoops manager was installed As interim management team following the surprise resignation of former Celtic player Sean Maloney brendan rodgers Monday night.
celtic fans Continued his protest against Dermot DesmondThe club’s major shareholder, and the board outside the stadium before the game, in part due to the perceived poor summer transfer window.
An impressive Desmond sat in the directors’ box and watched fellow Irishman Johnny Kenny give Celtic the lead after half an hour and then goals from midfielder Benjamin Nygren and wide-man Sebastian Tunicty 10 minutes later in the second half only increased the fun factor.
Celtic went six points behind Scottish Premiership Leaders Hearts, who drew 2-2 at St Mirren, remain five ahead of Rangers who won 1-0 at Hibernian.
The Hoops faced the Light Blues in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday, where O’Neill scored his last game for Celtic in his first spell – a win over Dundee United in the 2005 Scottish Cup Final.
Parkhead fans, although still dissatisfied with the Hoops hierarchy, would go into the game more reassured by O’Neill’s impact on a side that was looking close to its best form.
O’Neill, who was Parkhead boss between 2000 and 2005, was given a warm welcome by the home fans and soon had goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to thank for denying Bairns midfielder Scott Arfield a comeback.
However, the home side gradually began to gain momentum.
Scott Bain, East celtic The keeper made a good save at the feet of Nygren in the 28th minute, but the home side kept up the pressure and when Benn tipped Nygren’s drive onto a post, 22-year-old striker Kenny was on hand to return the rebound into the net.
Schmeichel drew a good save from Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi as John McGlynn’s men hit back.
However, moments later, Benn had to dive deftly to his left to deny an effort from James Forrest, but he had no chance when Nygren re-directed the ball past Anthony Ralston for Kenny to score from eight yards.
Kenny started the second half by firing a brilliant shot over the bar with only Benn to beat.
The keeper made a mistake when he blocked a shot from Marcelo Saracchi towards Nygren, who fired into the net for the easiest of goals just before the hour mark, giving the home side the chance to take the lead.
Japan striker Daizen Maeda, who had recovered from a hamstring injury, replaced Kenny, giving a further boost to the home fans, who cheered again when Tonnetey dodged the Bairns defense to grab the fourth, with time for Callum Osmond, the 19-year-old forward, signed from Fulham in the summer, to make his debut on a night when supporters enjoyed remembering the O’Neill years.
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