In 2004, Celtic took on Falkirk at Celtic Park on this day in a lamb-to-the-slaughter scenario. With goals from Sylla, Balde, and Lambert, Celtic’s academy Bhoys put on a show. With a hat-trick for Wallace, McManus and McGeady added to this tally to make it a night to forget for the Bairns.
McGeady would open the scoring after some impressive footwork and a floating shot from the edge of the box that found the top corner of the Falkirk goal.
Momo Sylla was next on the scoresheet, after he was slipped in by Juninho (remember him?), with the pacey wing-back firing home after a well-timed run. Involved again, Sylla would cut it back across a crowded box after hitting the byline – Ross Wallace would poke it home in what would be his first of three for the youngster.
Bobo would add to this , with his header meeting a fine corner to give the Celts room for manoeuvre. Veteran Lambert would then get himself amongst the goal-scorers after Juninho found Sylla with a lovely pass into the channel – eventually finding an unmarked Lambert at the back post with a fizzing ball along the six yard box.
Stephen McManus found another fabulous corner with the head, to pile on the misery for Falkirk in what was a forgettable fixture for the club. Wallace would get his second with a breathtaking freekick miles from the goal. Technique executed to perfection from Wallace, in a game he certainly rose to the occasion. His final goal would come from a clever passage of play between McGeady and Juninho, slipping in Wallace for his match ball goal.
Celtic in fine form with help from the academy Bhoys.
The Celtic was as follows:
Celtic: Douglas, Valgaeren, Balde, Laursen, McManus (Thompson 79), McGeady, Lambert, Pearson, Wallace, Sylla, Juninho. Subs Not Used:- Hedman, Lennon, Petrov, Varga. Goals:- Sylla 2, Wallace 6, Balde 38, Lambert 45, McManus 48, Wallace 57, 85, McGeady 90.
Cast your eyes over the highlights…
21st September 2004, Celtic 8:1 Falkirk.
Sylla, Wallace(3), Bobo, Lambert, McManus and McGeady. @StephenMc446 pic.twitter.com/a4MIIwbVFE
— Li’l Ze (@LilZe_7) September 20, 2021