Celtic convincing winners over Falkirk

Celtic 3 Falkirk 0

A Georgios Samaras double and a goal by skipper Stephen McManus helped impressive Celtic to a convincing Clydesdale Bank Premier League win over Falkirk at Parkhead.

However, it was the return of Shaun Maloney, on for the injured Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink in the first half, which provided the main talking point in a game in which the champions won easily in the end.

The former Aston Villa player, signed yesterday after an 18-month spell in the midlands, won the free-kick from which McManus’s 31st minute opener arrived.

He then set Samaras up either side of the interval for the Greece international to open his account for the season.

It was enough to see Maloney awarded man of the match and his return may have come at a vital time.

Gordon Strachan could be without his first-choice strike force for next week’s Old Firm game, Scott McDonald missing the visit of the Bairns with a groin injury and Vennegoor of Hesselink a doubt after being stretchered off following a clash with Lee Bullen.

But Strachan will be pleased with the impact Maloney had after replacing the Dutchman in the 28th minute.

With the champions making hard work of the slick-moving, spirited visitors, Maloney won a soft free-kick almost immediately following a tangle with the hesitant Gerard Aafjes wide on the right.

And when Shunsuke Nakamura whipped in the cross, the top of McManus’ arm seemed to propel the ball past Olejnik from close range.

Falkirk refused to feel sorry for themselves and striker Michael Higdon’s turn and shot from 30 yards had Artur Boruc happy to push the ball round the post for a corner, which came to nothing.

At the other end, Aiden McGeady’s cross from the left found Maloney eight yards out but his goalbound header struck Bullen and flew clear.

But the former Aston Villa player was not to be denied a more meaningful contribution before the break.

Two minutes from half-time, he split the Falkirk defence wide, allowing Samaras to glide through and coolly round Olejnik before slotting in to the empty net.

Boruc, who had earlier made good saves from Scott Arfield and Michael Higdon, pulled off another fine block from an Aafjes strike.

The destination of the points seemed settled but Boruc was called into action five minutes after the interval when John Stewart ghosted in at the back post to latch on to the end of a cross from Mark Stewart.

Four minutes later, McGeady combined with Maloney at the edge of the Bairns penalty area and only the intervention of Bullen prevented the Celtic substitute getting on the scoresheet.

The visitors kept going forward and former Parkhead midfielder Kevin McBride was next to have a go, firing a 30-yard drive past the post.

In the 58th minute, Mark Stewart curled a shot from distance in to Boruc’s body after another neat build-up from John Hughes’ men.

Moments later, as Celtic took their turn attacking. Samaras toe-poked the ball at Olejnik from only six yards out, then McManus finished a romp forward by driving a left-footed shot straight at the Falkirk keeper.

But Celtic eventually stretched their lead in the 67th minute after another crucial contribution from Maloney.

Samaras worked a one-two with his new strike-partner, ran on a sublime pass from the heel of the Scotland international and prodded the ball under Olejnik.

Celtic were showboating and Maloney screwed a shot just past the far post after taking a Paul Hartley pass.

Samaras and Scott Brown were replaced by Chris Killen and Marc Crosas, the Spaniard making his Hoops debut following his summer switch from Barcelona.

Olejnik produced a fine double save from Killen then Maloney as the champions turned on the style in the final 10 minutes.