McGeady’s late cracker earns Bhoys the points

CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan insists he was always confident his side would get the winner in their Bank of Scotland Premier League match at Falkirk.

Four minutes from the end of a captivating 90 minutes, a powerful strike by Republic of Ireland midfielder Aiden McGeady gave the Hoops’ three points and kept the Parkhead men top of the SPL.

The home side had held their own for most of the game but were left devastated when McGeady combined with substitute Shaun Maloney before driving past keeper Scott Higgins.

Despite his side being matched by John Hughes’ young side for long spells, Strachan said: “I always felt we would score in the second half. Our passing got better and we got a wee bit of shape to our midfield which allowed our better players to get on the ball and play.

“It so happens that two of our good players, Shaun and Aiden got together in the corner and we got the goal.

“But what a performance from Falkirk in the first-half, their ability and commitment made it a long 45 minutes for us.

“I think Falkirk can take a lot of credit.”

Falkirk manager John Hughes is hoping his side do not lose heart after such a gutsy display against the champions.

“I felt they gave as good as they got and we deserved something out of the match, if not all three points.

“My concern is that we are a very young team and after putting everything into a game like that without picking up anything, I just wonder if it will have an adverse affect in the next game.

“But it is my job to get in about them and tell them they matched the Scottish champions in a lot of departments and take confidence from that.”

FALKIRK: Higgins, Ross, Barr, Milne (Scobbie 26), Twaddle, Latapy (John Stewart 87), Cregg, Thomson, Moutinho (McManus 73), Gow, Stokes.

CELTIC: Boruc, Telfer, Naylor, McManus, Caldwell, Nakamura (Maloney 60), Lennon, Gravesen (Sno 59), McGeady, Zurawski, Miller (Beattie 76).

Ref: I Brines (Scotland).