2 days ago
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Across the past 137 years, the air around Celtic’s spiritual home has been filled with the whole gamut of emotions.
Perhaps never before, though, had the old place borne witness to something quite like this.
At times, the rancour was unmissable. There were angry voices before and during the business of the evening, but these became fewer at the night unfolded.
It proved to be a reminder that nothing in football heals wounds quite like results.
There was also much warmth and affection as a hero in Martin O’Neill returned. And after a dark few days in Glasgow’s East End, there was considerable cause for celebration for all come full-time.
If Dermot Desmond believed his withering assessment of Brendan Rodgers would win him the battle for hearts and minds then, on this evidence, he was mistaken.
Celtic fans gathered outside Parkhead before the match to protest against the board
The fans want change in the boardroom and Brendan Rodgers' exit did little to ease their anger
Dermot Desmond attended the game, sitting in between Peter Lawwell and Michael Nicholson
Whatever the now former manager’s shortcomings this season have been, it seems that few supporters - if any - hold him wholly responsible for the current state of the club.
There were protests against Desmond and his fellow directors throughout the night. Rodgers may be gone, but these are clearly not going away.
It was an extraordinary evening even before a ball was kicked. Hundreds of Celtic fans gathered at the front door before kick-off to vent their spleens then raced to their seats to scatter rose petals.
Rumours abounded that Desmond would put in an appearance. Given he’s apparently working on a £5billion deal to sell a care home group this week, that felt fanciful.
Shortly before kick-off, though, he took his seat in between Michael Nicholson and Peter Lawwell in the front row of the directors’ box.
The banners demanding their removal stared them in the face. Again, there was no shortage of audible reminders of where many of those present would like them to go. Notably, though, there was no obvious support for Rodgers.
The hostilities were interspersed with songs of praise. Twenty years after last leading the side here, the return of O’Neill lifted the mood.
His entrance to the arena was a little understated, perhaps understandably, given he’s only likely to be here for a few games
O'Neill, now 73, was still energetic on the touchline, wearing his trademark tracksuit
Following the team out of the tunnel, he raised his hand to acknowledge the applause that filed the arena. And after a brief embrace with John McGlynn, it was down to business.
Unable to see the players in training on Tuesday, O’Neill deferred to Shaun Maloney, who’s stepped up from his role as player pathway manager.
Out went Kieran Tierney, Colby Donovan, Reo Hatate and Dane Murray. In came Anthony Ralston, Auston Trusty, Marcelo Saracchi and James Forrest.
Standing by Rodgers’ formation for this match, at least, there was no evidence of the 3-5-2 which O’Neill championed at the turn of the century.
One old link with the past would have warmed the spirits of those in the stands. Even at the age of 73, he still dug out the old boots and the tracksuit. He spent the evening flapping his arms and roaring instructions like he’d never been away.
Celtic’s last home game was only last Thursday against Sturm Graz. Given what had happened since, that felt like ancient history.
The fall-out from Sunday’s loss to Hearts had been nuclear. Rodgers’ resignation was in itself stunning. But Desmond’s statement, nothing short of a character assassination on a man who’d won 11 trophies across two spells, was jaw-dropping.
Given the look of the Premiership table, no one present needed reminding that not only was there a football game to be played, there was one of the utmost importance.
While Celtic played more directly, the familiar face in the dug-out did not possess a magic wand. The shortcomings that were so evident in the latter days of Rodgers were conspicuous before the team found something.
Johnny Kenny would have gone clear on goal with the ball in the opening seconds had he not stumbled over it. But this was to be his night.
Benjamin Nygren’s header from a prime position lacked purpose. Seb Tounekti completely lost his composure when trying to direct Arne Engels’ cross onto the target.
A heavy touch from Nygren allowed Scott Bain to advance, spread himself and make a comfortable save.
Engels delivered a raft of corners that dropped like bombs on the six-yard line. The tactic yielded a torrent of goals when O’Neill was last in charge. On this occasion, Falkirk won the majority of first balls and cleared their lines.
O’Neill had spoken in simple terms on Tuesday. In order to score some more goals, the team had to create far more chances.
They certainly succeeded in that aim. And as the half hour came up, they took one.
As against the Austrians last week, Nygren managed to banish a few near things from his mind. His left-foot strike on the turn looked in all the way until Bain turned it on to the post. Kenny was alert to the situation and rattled the ball home with his left foot.
O’Neill didn’t quite hop about the dug-out like a kangaroo in celebration. Instead, a fist was clenched and he roared with delight.
It would quickly get better. Ralston’s deep cross was eyed by Nygren. The Swede sensibly headed the ball back across goal. Kenny helped himself to his second of the night.
Celtic might already have been out of sight. Bain pulled off an excellent stop when Forrest threatened to find the bottom corner after a four-man move. Nygren also lofted the ball over with the target at his mercy.
O'Neill congratulates goalscorer Sebastian Tounekti after the 4-0 win over Falkirk
Aside from a Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi strike which Kasper Schmeichel did well to block low down to his right, Falkirk struggled to make much headway.
Kenny should have claimed the match ball immediately after the break but was leaning back as he shot. Forrest also found the stand after Callum McGregor had claimed a loose ball.
Victory was assured before the hour. Saracchi’s volley had direction but lacked pace. Bain should have held it. Nygren punished his poor handling by turning the ball home from five yards.
A fine night for Celtic also saw the introduction of Daizen Maeda from the bench following his recent hamstring troubles with Callum Osmand also introduced for his debut.
The side played with an aggression and a hunger that’s been absent for the longest time. O’Neill will have been pleased with the refusal to ease off.
The cherry was put on top of the cake with 17 minutes remaining. Luke McCowan, another substitute, played a ball down the left channel. Tounekti’s pace took him away from Keelan Adams. He poked the ball between Bain’s legs for the fourth. What a difference a few - eventful - days make.
