Celtic take on Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership this afternoon in a match that kicks-off an hour after the Hibs versus theRangers match at Easter Road. Last night Hearts won 3-0 at Tannadice against a Dundee United side reduced to nine men and that result means that Celtic kick-off today NINE points behind Derek McInnes’ title contenders.
Accordingly there is zero margin for error this afternoon for the Champions against John McGlynn’s in-form Falkirk side who hammered Hibs 4-1 last weekend and were very unlucky to lose to Celtic at their own stadium a few weeks ago with Benjamin Nygren scoring the only goal of the match to give Martin O’Neill’s side three precious points.
Celtic’s record in recent record against Falkirk is very good with three comfortable wins over the past two seasons in both league and cup matches. The Champions go into the match on the back of their Thursday night Europa League win over Dutch side FC Utrecht which secured qualification for the play-off rounds and a glamorous ie against a top Bundesliga side in VfB Stuttgart.
Celtic Team News
Auston Trusty will sit out today’s match as he serves his suspension from the disgraceful red card decision from John Beaton on VAR last weekend at Tynecastle in the 2-2 draw with Hearts. Trusty scored the fourth goal that put the contest to bed against Utrecht and can now rest up ahead of the midweek trip to play Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
January arrivals Julian Araujo impressed at Tynecastle as did striker Tomas Cvancara who is set to make his Celtic Park debut this afternoon. The Mexican right-back is also likely to be named in Martin O’Neill’s starting XI.
With Trusty suspended Dane Murray, who played well and scored against Falkirk in the Premier Sports Cup match at Celtic Park earlier in the season will deputise for the American who is the subject of late transfer window interest from Italy, as is teammate Arne Engels who has been linked with a move to Premier League side Nottingham Forest. Engels has already dismissed talk of a move to RB Leipzig saying he wants to stay at Celtic and fight for the title.
Marcelo Saracchi is back in training after recovering from a hamstring injury while Johnny Kenny is unlikely to return today as he recovers from a calf injury. Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Jota (knee), Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand (both hamstring) remain out for the foreseeable.
Predicted Celtic Team
Kasper Schmeichel will be in goals with the Celtic defence consisting of Julian Araujo, Dane Murray, Liam Scales and Kieran Tierney. In the middle of the park the Celtic captain Callum McGregor will be joined by Arne Engels and Benjamin Nygren who is the top scorer at the club in his first season at Celtic. The front three will be Yang on the right, Cvancara through the middle and Daizen Maeda playing on the left wing.
On the bench for Celtic today we expect to see Sinisalo; Ralston, Donovan, Welsh, McCowan, Bernardo, Hatate, Forrest, Iheanacho and Tounekti.
Match Officials
The Scottish FA confirmed that the ever so staunch David Dickinson will referee the Celtic v Falkirk match in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday afternoon at Celtic Park while the offspring of Hugh, Andrew Dallas will be on VAR duties.
Dickinson will be assisted by David Roome and Chris Rae while Andrew Dallas over at Clydesdale House will have Frank Connor assisting him in his VAR duties. Dickinson was one of only two match officials got to handle a Wilfried Nancy victory, as he had the whistle in Celtic’s 3-1 win at Celtic Park against Aberdeen in December.
Kick-off Time
Celtic v Falkirk match in the Scottish Premiership this afternoon, Sunday 1st February 2026, will kick off at 3pm CPT*
Where to Watch
Today’s match will be streamed live on Celtic TV to subscribers based outside of Britain and Ireland. Neither broadcaster – Sky Sports or Premier Sports have selected this match for live transmission. Sportscene will show highlight on the BBC Scotland channel at 7.15pm this evening and Celtic TV will also be showing the full match on a delayed service which usually goes up around midnight and will be available tomorrow for subscribers in Britain and Ireland to watch.
*Celtic Park Time
Sale Ends TODAY!…
It’s the last day of our hugely popular the Half Price January sale at Celtic Star Books. Every book ordered is now just £10 and p&p is only charged on the first book at £4.50. So ordering three books will cost a total of £34.50 and given you a £30 saving. Order at celticstarbooks.com/shop
All Books Now Half Price in the Celtic Star Books January Sale…
Please note that p&p is priced at £4.50 is only charged on ONE book so you can buy as many of our books as you like and the postage cost will remain the same. Why not expand your Celtic library today?
