Celtic’s Next Opponent, A Look At Form

Celtic’s next fixture on the calendar is a Premier Sports Cup clash with Falkirk at Celtic Park on Friday night…

Falkirk manager John McGlynn

Falkirk manager John McGlynn during the Premier Sports Cup Quarter Final between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on September 22, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Bairns started the season with a strong showing in the group stages of the tournament, beating Brechin 7-0, edging past Cove Rangers on penalties, winning over Queen’s Park 3-1 and then dismantling Spartans 4-0 at the Falkirk Stadium.

The Scottish Premiership newcomers then had their first taste of the big time and earned a respectable 2-2 draw at home to Dundee United, a result in keeping with the likes of Rapid Vienna.

Scott Bain signs for Falkirk

Scott Bain signs for Falkirk on a free transfer from Celtic. Photo Falkirk FC

That positive start then took a dent on match day two of the league season as Falkirk were well beaten, 3-1 at Almondvale Stadium against Livingston. John McGlynn has been known for playing an open style of football at Championship level, but the concession of five goals in two Premiership games may cause the manager to have a rethink about his side’s playing style at this level. And it could have been worse last weekend as former Celt Scott Bain saved a penalty to ensure the deficit ended at 2 goals rather than 3.

It remains to be seen how Falkirk will line up at Paradise, but Celtic will be looking to exploit the openings that they’ve left opponents in the early season rounds of fixtures.

Kick off takes place at 7.45pm this Friday night at Celtic Park.

CELTIC IN THE EIGHTIES BY DAVID POTTER, FOREWORD BY DANNY McGRAIN is published by Celtic Star Books on the fifth day of September. You can pre-order now to guarantee your copy which will be signed by Danny McGrain, with just a limited number of signed copies still available, although they are selling very quickly.

And there’s another great benefit for readers who pre-order their copy of Celtic in the Eighties. You will also receive a copy of an earlier David Potter book – Celtic’ Icicle – Alec McNair – which you’ll receive for FREE when you pre-order with Celtic in the Eighties. So you get two great Celtic books by David Potter and better still the postage is only charged on one. Click on the image below to order. (Just order Celtic in the Eighties and we’ll automatically add a copy of the Alec McNair book).

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books on 5 September 2025. Click on image to pre-order.

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About Author

Hailing from an Irish background, I grew up on the English south coast with the good fortune to begin watching Celtic during the Martin O'Neill era. I have written four Celtic books since the age of 19: Our Stories & Our Songs: The Celtic Support, Take Me To Your Paradise: A History Of Celtic-Related Incidents & Events, Walfrid & The Bould Bhoys: Celtic's Founding Fathers, First Season & Early Stars, and The Holy Grounds of Glasgow Celtic: A Guide To Celtic Landmarks & Sites Of Interest. These were previously sold in Waterstones and official Celtic FC stores, and are now available on Amazon.

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