Celtic 4 Falkirk 0:An Aiden McGeady-inspired Celtic moved five points clear of Rangers in the Scottish Premier League last night; the Ibrox side have two matches in hand but now know they must win both to regain a title advantage.
This occasion, though, was about McGeady, who scored a first hat-trick of his Celtic career.
A relatively small Celtic Park crowd did not have long to wait for meaningful action, the hosts tormenting Falkirk's defence from the first whistle in displaying the very verve that had been lacking in potentially costly draws with Hearts and St Mirren.
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink should have scored within 120 seconds, but his strike partner, Scott McDonald, did just that from the penalty spot seven minutes later after falling under a despairing lunge from Kenny Milne.
Gary Caldwell came within an impressive Tim Krul save of doubling the advantage, but Falkirk highlighted the hosts' defensive frailties midway through the first half. Caldwell had to block a Scott Arfield drive on his line before the visitors were denied a reasonable penalty claim of their own, the debutant Ryan Conroy appearing to handle in the area.
Celtic showed little compassion, McGeady stroking home from close range after fine build-up play, shortly before the interval and, moments after Falkirk's Darren Barr had been dismissed for his second yellow card, curling a sweet shot beyond Krul in the Falkirk goal.
The Ireland winger secured his hat-trick when firing home after collecting a McDonald pass 18 yards from Falkirk's goal.
CELTIC: Mark Brown, Caldwell, Pressley (O'Dea 77), McManus, Conroy, McGeady, Scott Brown (Sno 84), Donati, Hartley, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Killen 80). Subs not used: McGovern, Zurawski, Riordan, Jarosik. Booked: McManus, Vennegoor of Hesselink.
FALKIRK: Krul, Aafjes, Barr, Milne, Holden, Thomson, Cregg (Riera 67), Arfield, Moutinho, Higdon (Latapy 74), Barrett (Scobbie 66). Subs not used: Olejnik, Ross, Finnigan, Moffat. Sent off: Barr (64). Booked: Barr.
Referee: D McDonald (Scotland).
