Martin O’Neill tells Celtic to cut out defensive errors after Falkirk defeat

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill during the shock loss to Falkirk. pic: Steve Welsh/Press Association

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill told his players to strengthen their resolve and their defending after suffering a sixth defeat in 10 matches.

First-half goals from Ethan Ross and Scott Tanser – and a brilliant display from goalkeeper Scott Bain – earned Falkirk a 2-0 win.

It was the Bairns’ first victory over Celtic since 2007 and the champions missed the chance to go seven points clear at the top of the William Hill Premiership, with Rangers on Premier Sports Cup duty. They have now kept just one clean sheet in 10 matches.

Ross pounced on a mistake from Cameron Carter-Vickers to score inside three minutes and left-back Tanser ran untracked through the centre of Celtic’s defence before slotting home.

“They were very poor from our viewpoint,” O’Neill said of the goals. “We didn’t clear it for the first one, then we let someone run through and pick his spot for the second.

“We have conceded some poor goals and haven’t kept a clean sheet for some time and that’s the essence of a championship team. But we’re still top of the league and we need to address it and that’s the way out of it.

“We scored seven against Hearts not long ago. I just thought the goalie had a magnificent game and we should have scored a number in each half. When you don’t it becomes very frustrating.

Celtic goalkeeper Sam Johnstone applauds the fans with teammates. Pic: Steve Welsh/Press Association

“But we have to address the fact that we are conceding. Hopefully we can do that and it’s still a long season ahead.” Defeat followed a home draw against Dundee United and Celtic are still looking for a first Europa League point ahead of their fourth game, against Besiktas on Thursday.

“It’s Celtic Football Club,” O’Neill said. “We’re not used to losing a lot of games. We were in a much worse position this time last year in the league, so we really have to buckle down and win a game.

“You have to cope with the pressure. Sometimes, as the great Tommy Burns once said, it might be easier to play against Celtic than for them at this stage.

“But hopefully we have enough in the dressing room, players who have been big winners here, who can hopefully pull them through that.” Falkirk manager John McGlynn backed Bain for a Scotland appearance after the 34-year-old made 10 saves.

“Huge credit to all the players, they put in a remarkable shift,” he said. “I don’t want to take anything away from the outfield players, but Scott Bain had the game of his life.

“If ever there was a statement about putting him into the Scotland goal, that was it.

“I’ve been pushing Scotty for a while because I know how calm and good with his feet he is. Everything you want he’ll deliver. He can’t go unnoticed.

“He could easily be doing a job for Celtic, but I’m delighted we’ve got him.” It was a fourth successive win for Falkirk, who moved up to fourth.

“That’s been coming,” McGlynn said. “There’s been a togetherness that’s taken us to another rung of the ladder and they are all going the extra mile for each other.”