McCourt on mark for Bhoys

Falkirk 0 Celtic 4

Scott McDonald helped himself to a double on a night when several fringe players also shone, with Chris Killen completing the rout.

But the win was soured by an injury to substitute Aiden McGeady.

The Republic of Ireland international was forced out of the match in the closing minutes with an ankle injury and could now be considered a doubt for this weekend’s league game at St Mirren and possibly even next week’s Europa League tie against Rapid Vienna, while Ireland face Italy at Croke Park on October 10 and Montenegro four days later.

Mowbray said: “We have a concern for Aiden, who took a knock on his ankle, and I’ll probably beat myself up tonight about why I brought McGeady on when I left five at home.

“I should have resisted putting him on and he has got a knock but let’s hope it’s not a bad one. I’m a bit frustrated that I put him on when the game was probably finished anyway.

“It is probably more than just a kick otherwise he wouldn’t have hobbled off. Am I concerned? Yes, a little bit.”

Mowbray was also pleased with McCourt but Mowbray warned he has plenty to improve on before he can consider himself the finished article.

He said: “If football was only about dribbling ability, Pat would play every week. But football is more than just dribbling and doing wonderful things.

“He has to work hard when we don’t have possession, he has to work on his fitness levels and his discipline. But I was happy enough with him.”

Elsewhere Rangers won 2-1 at Queen of the South while Hearts beat Dunfermline by the same score.

FALKIRK: Olejnik, Mitchell (Scobbie 60), McLean, Barr, Twaddle (McNamara 60), Flynn, Lynch (Stewart 59), Arfield, Marceta, Finnbogason, Finnigan. CELTIC: Zaluska, Caddis, Caldwell, McManus, Wilson, Flood (McGeady 67), Crosas, Robson (Mizuno 75), McCourt, McDonald (McGinn 67), Killen.

Referee: M Tumilty (Scotland).