Falkirk stun Celtic 2-0 for first win over the champions in 19 years
Goals from Ross and Tanser and an inspired display from goalkeeper Scott Bain stunned the champions, who missed the chance to go seven points clear.
Falkirk Stadium. File photo. · Photograph: David Neill (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Falkirk have beaten Celtic 2-0 at Falkirk Stadium, their first victory over Celtic in 19 years.
Martin O'Neill's side could have gone seven points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a win. Instead, the result keeps Rangers in touch and lifts Falkirk into fourth place.
How it happened
Falkirk went ahead in the first half when Ross pounced after Cameron Carter-Vickers failed to clear. Tanser then slid in a second at the end of a fine move.
Falkirk thought they had a third when Murrell bundled the ball over the line, but a VAR review ruled it out for handball.
Bain the hero
Celtic threw on James Forrest at half-time and later Luke McCowan and Sebastian Tounekti as they chased the game, with Kieran Tierney and Benjamin Nygren supplying a stream of crosses.
But they could not get past Falkirk goalkeeper Scott Bain, a former Celtic player, who made a string of outstanding saves, including an acrobatic stop from Mika Baur. A former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound counted at least ten great saves across the two halves.
Questions for Celtic
The defeat adds to a difficult spell for Celtic, who also lost 2-1 at home to Celta Vigo in the Europa League last month. They face Besiktas at Celtic Park in the Europa League on Bonfire Night.
Rangers, who reached the League Cup final with a 1-0 win over Aberdeen on Saturday, will be encouraged that the title race has tightened.