Falkirk 0 Celtic 1:A first-half header from Scott McDonald gave champions Celtic a 1-0 win at Falkirk in the Scottish Premier League yesterday and cut Rangers's lead at the top to four points
The Australian striker glanced a close-range effort over goalkeeper Robert Olejnik in first-half stoppage time following Japanese midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura's chipped cross from the side of the box.
Celtic are second on 49 points from 22 games while Rangers have 53 from 22 after their 4-0 win over 10-man St Mirren, who had Will Haining sent off, on Saturday.
"It was hard work, conditions were not great for playing football," Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said. "So, we are delighted with the win."
It was far from a polished performance from Celtic and Falkirk had a strong penalty claim turned down on 15 minutes when defender Gary Caldwell handled a high ball into the box.
McDonald made the breakthrough just before the interval but the second half was a tense affair and Celtic survived another penalty claim when Italian midfielder Massimo Donati brought down Falkirk's Kevin McBride.
Dutch striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink came close to scoring for Celtic in the final minute with an angled shot from the right that flew low beyond Austrian goalkeeper Olejnik only to strike the base of the far post.
FALKIRK: Olejnik, Ross, Holden (Milne 35), Barr, Scobbie, Cregg, Riera, Arfield, McBride (Latapy 81), Moutinho, Barrett (Finnigan 86). Subs not used: Barclay, Aafjes, Bradley, Stewert. Booked: Ross, Milne.
CELTIC: Boruc, Caldwell, Naylor, McManus, Hartley (Caddis 74), Scott Brown, Nakamura (Sno 68), McGeady, Donati, McDonald (Killen 90), Vennegoor of Hesselink. Subs not used: Mark Brown, Zurawski, Riordan, Pressley. Booked: McDonald, Donati. Goal: McDonald 45.
Referee: J Underhill (Scotland).
