Copyright dailyrecord
Returning Martin O'Neill rolled back the years by getting the tracksuit out again and even sticking on a pair of shiny old-school Copa Mundials. And the returning hero gave Celtic the boot up the backside they needed. It had been 20 years since the Northern Irishman last sat – or stood in front – of the Parkhead dugout. Yet if you squinted enough in some ways it seemed like he’d never been away. Hoops fans chanted his name – and Celtic won at a canter against Falkirk on a nostalgic night in Glasgow’s East End. The only thing missing was Henrik Larsson sticking his tongue out as Celts got used to life after Brendan Rodgers with a welcome stroll against Falkirk. Johnny Kenny blasted a first half Premiership double, Benji Nygren bashed in a third, and Sebastian Tounetki tucked away number four to tee interim boss O’Neill and Shaun Maloney up for Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final showdown with Rangers. And it was probably just what the club needed after an incredible, dramatic few days. Parkhead powerhouse Dermot Desmond – who body-bagged Rodgers on the way out on Monday – was in town to see his stand-in staff do the business in perhaps the most straight-forward league game of the season so far. There was still the usual fan ire towards the director’s box – but O’Neill’s bow brought a feel good factor that’s been lacking for months. This was never in doubt. Celts were banging on the door but it was a familiar tale of toil in the final third before Kenny finally made the breakthrough on the half hour. Nygren – who’d missed another couple of gilt-edged opportunities – thumbed the post with a snap shot in the box. But this time Kenny was quick to react to bury the rebound. Kasper Schmeichel denied Bairns frontman Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi a quick leveller but it was 2-0 before the break when Kenny pounced again. This time it was a glancing header after Nygren had nodded Tony Ralston’s deep ball back across goal before the break. Celts continued to pile on the pressure and Nygren got his goal when he tucked away after ex-Celt Scott Bain could only paw out Marcelo Saracchi’s low dig into the Swede’s path. Tounekti bagged his first Parkhead goal when he skipped through a few lunging tackles and found the bottom corner to seal a memorable return for a man who’s still as tough as old boots. Here's 5 talking points from Celtic Park. There was something surreal about seeing O’Neill back in the Celtic dugout with the tracksuit and boots on – and jumping around like the old days. He may be 73-years-old, but it was like he’d never been away, up and out of his seat every few minutes and hopping about on the touchline like a jack-in-the-box. O”Neill took a moment to acknowledge the adoration coming from the stands and while the Hoops board are still in the firing line, the move to bring him back already seems a smart call, even just from a PR perspective. There were a few tactical tweaks – including Nygren at left centre midfield – and there was more intensity about the Hoops and the ball was definitely moved forward quicker. The stand-in boss will be hoping for more of it on Sunday against Rangers, but Celts are in safe hands for the time being. Rodgers may have fallen on his sword while O’Neill has lifted the mood – but it’s not taken any heat off the Celtic board. A few thousand fans made a protest outside the Parkhead front steps and the chants won’t have gone unnoticed by the main man himself. Dermot Desmond – whose roasting of Rodgers caused shockwaves – made a rare appearance at Celtic Park as he took his seat in between chairman Peter Lawwell and chief exec Michael Nicholson. There were chants during the game advising the Irish tycoon where to go, along with the usual sack the board sing song. There were NO Rodgers ditties mind you, so it suggests a lot of punters were not too upset with the manager’s departure. But the parting of the ways hasn’t quelled the anti-board ire in the stands either. O’Neill must have felt he was going to have to drag 50-something Henrik Larsson out of retirement given Celtic’s striker woes. But Johnny Kenny might just prove a few people wrong. The Irish frontman silenced a few doubters here. Yes, Kenny misses chances. He’s not the only one in this Hoops side. But he does get himself into some terrific positions and if the supply is there, then there’s every chance he’ll sniff out a goal or two. His two finishes here – and he could have had more – will have done him the world of good in terms of confidence. Celtic still have firepower issues but at least Kenny is showing signs of stepping up. The one major change was Auston Trusty coming back into the side. The big American was injured at the start of the season but there was also a sense he had lost the faith of Rodgers. The change in management could give him a new lease of life. Trusty strolled it, even on the right side, where the former boss wasn’t so keen on playing him. Meanwhile Nygren continues to bewilder and excite in equal measure. O’Neill says he’s no fan of expected goals stats. Well maybe don’t tell him Nygren’s Xg. The Swede could have the golden boot in the bag after the last fortnight with a pile of missed opportunities. But he’s in there causing mayhem, getting another goal and proving his value to this team. Falkirk looked like they meant business with Scott Arfield’s shot in the early minutes. But they were quickly pinned back and lost a bit of confidence in attacking the Hoops. John McGlynn will also be disappointed with some of his side’s defending with the goals, regardless of how well Celtic performed. This wasn’t the fairest of fights but it’s been a theme at times this term and the boss will want to tighten up to build on the solid start to the campaign.
