Celtic 3-0 Falkirk

Aug 24 2008 Gordon Waddell At Parkhead

IT was like flicking a light switch. Shaun Maloney turned up and turned it on like he had never been away from Celtic Park. The little striker walked on to a rapturous reception in the 28th minute and lit up the place with a man of the match show that shot Celtic back to the top of the SPL.

Celts might have lost Scott McDonald with a groin injury and suffered another striker blow yesterday when Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink was carried off to give Maloney his second Hoops debut.

But with Maloney and Giorgios Samaras - who netted twice - on this form, they can rest easy that goals will still come.

Stephen McManus's controversial opener - elbowing home a free-kick after half an hour - burst the dam on a game they were struggling to control.

But twice Maloney teed up Samaras either side of the interval to put the league champs in control.

The only element missing for the £2.5million signing from Aston Villa was a strike of his own. But he shrugged: "I don't think a goal could have made me feel much better than I do anyway!

"I was a bit nervous about the reception I'd get but it left me speechless.

"I couldn't believe it. Now we're a week away from an Old Firm game and everyone will be battling for a place."

Depending on the recovery powers of Vennegoor of Hesselink and McDonald, Maloney's could well be one of the first to be handed a shirt.

Still if Gordon Strachan thought he had problems before the game, they were nothing compared to John Hughes' woes.

The Bairns boss had nine top-team regulars posted missing. To be fair though, you'd never have known that from the opening exchanges.

Falkirk were looking for a first league victory at Celtic Park in 21 years and their ball retention was good, they pushed on when they could and Celtic, while always in the match, seemed sluggish.

With strikers the size of Samaras and Vennegoor of Hesselink up front, there was too much temptation to send the ball long from the back - especially as Scott Brown and Paul Hartley were outnumbered two to three in the engine room.

But all that changed in 28 minutes when Vennegoor of Hesselink and Lee Bullen slid in for a 50/50 and the Celtic man came off worst.

As he was stretchered off, Parkhead clamoured for the return of Maloney - and the wee man delivered.

His first contribution was questionable, going down in a nothing challenge by Gerard Aafjes to win a free-kick out on the right touchline.

Aafjes should never have dithered long enough to let him near in the first place - but the ref was conned. Shunsuke Nakamura's delivery was deadly, McManus attacked the cross and got enough on it to send it high past Olejnik.

The only problem was the Celts skipper seemed to use his elbow for the finish - but a huge handball appeal from Bairns fell on deaf ears.

Maloney's next contribution was vintage though.

Falkirk again gave away possession cheaply - but it was like turning back the clock the way Aiden McGeady found the prodigal son with an early ball.

Maloney turned on the afterburners from the middle of the park and slipped the ball behind the defence. Samaras timed his run to perfection and rounded Olejnik to slide home.

That should have been Falkirk's death knell but they stuck to their game plan.

Michael Higdon, Scott Arfield and Aafjes all forced decent stops from Artur Boruc before the break.

After the restart John Stewart came close, stealing in at the back post but failing to find the finish.

Maloney was still the game's vital spark, though. Every time he got the ball you sensed bums getting off seats.

He slipped behind Falkirk but was out muscled by Bullen then dinked in a magnificent ball for Samaras, only for Olejnik to stay big and block.

But another goal had to come - and again Shaun was in the thick of it, working it back and forward with the Greek front man in 68 minutes before playing a killer ball.

Samaras had enough room to trail a caravan through Falkirk's defence and although his shot wasn't fierce, Olejnik fumbled the ball underneath him to gift wrap No.3.

Bairns boss Hughes said: "The first goal was a handball and it changed the game. Celtic were top-notch though."

REF WATCH

IAIN BRINES was given an easy ride in what might prove one of the easiest matches the whistler will ever have to run. Both sides came to play in the best spirit of the game. The only time he was really tested was in the run up to Hoops' opener when the free-kick award was dubious to say the least. Other than that, the official took everything in his stride. Rating: 7/10.

MATCH STATS

CELTIC

Shots on 9

Shots off 7

Fouls 8

Offside 1

Corners 5

Bookings 1

RANGERS

Shots on 5

Shots off 3

Fouls 17

Offside 0

Corners 3

Bookings 2