Celtic returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Falkirk at Celtic Park, but the result did little to mask the urgent transfer needs that remain glaringly obvious ahead of Thursday's deadline.
The match came just days after a Champions League play-off capitulation in Linz, and the Green Brigade's banners and protests against the board were quickly forgotten once the ball started rolling. The "world-class embarrassment" statement of discontent was rolled back up as Celtic pulled their domestic comfort blanket back on with a win over the Bairns, who were the architects of their own downfall.
Nine clubs who have beaten the Hoops in Champions League qualifiers since 2014 were laid out bare in bold capital letters, but enough of these statistical unpleasantries. There's always a Falkirk or other awaiting back home to ease the hangover for the latest continental mortification at a club where Premiership crown gathering has provided succour to European delusions of grandeur.
Early goals and a Falkirk howler
Falkirk had been first to threaten with stand-in Celtic captain Cameron Carter-Vickers reacting superbly to prevent Ben Parkinson from being provided with a tap-in after 30 seconds. Just as the Bairns looked like they were settling into a game where it was the hosts who had set up to hit on the break, there was a howler from Falkirk keeper Scott Bain, who raced from his line to gather a ball over the top but dropped the ball at Camilo Duran's feet.
It handed the impressive Columbian a fourth-minute gift as he rolled the ball into an unguarded net and left the former Hoops goalie with his head in his hands. It was also going to be an uphill battle from then on for John McGlynn's men after VAR confirmed the opener.
Celtic doubled their lead in the 29th minute and Yang Hyun-jun was the architect with a clever turn and pass for Kieran Tierney whose cross was smashed home from close-range by Duran. It was all too easy as Bain then kept his side from imploding by pulling off a string of stops in his attempt at redemption.
Forgiveness for McCowan and a late scare
Another three points and an unblemished start to the defence of their title was summed up by the second-half arrival off the bench of Luke McCowan. A fringe player who had been finger pointed as one of the most culpable for an error-strewn display during last Tuesday's Champions League play-off capitulation in Linz was given an ovation of forgiveness and it was the theme of a routine day.
Such was the ferocious reaction on social media to the midfielder's performance in Austria, he opted to delete his Instagram account completely. The warm welcome McCowan received was a telling, the support rallied around a player whose limitations on an unforgiving continental level were forgiven by fans who deep down appreciate an honest trier.
There would be anxiety for the home fans due to a Colby Donovan own-goal in the 72nd minute after Jacob Murrell was denied by Viljami Sinisalo only for the ball to rebound off the Hoops youngster and into the goal. One bright note was an impressive late cameo from the energetic Callum Osmond who left the stadium in a protective boot after suffering a knock which will be a concern with an injury update expected.
Transfer needs remain urgent
Once again Tierney failed to make it though 90 minutes as he succumbed to a muscle strain and recruiting a back-up left-back remains an issue – as does the need to find an aggressive and commanding central defender, with the Hoops still looking vulnerable at the back.
Whether Celtic can recruit a midfielder who can go box to box and bring physicality to their team remains to be seen but upgrades are needed across the pitch. Aberdeen arrive at Celtic Park for a league clash in midweek and it could be another exercise in easing the Champions League exit wounds and providing some camouflage for transfer market shortcomings.
