Camilo Duran scored twice as Celtic returned to domestic action with a 2-1 win over Falkirk at Celtic Park, easing the disappointment of their midweek Champions League collapse against LASK.
Despite the absence of Callum McGregor through illness and Kasper Hogh with a knock, the Hoops had enough to see off the Bairns. Duran was lethal through the middle, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain impressed in midfield.
Early goals settle nerves
The opening goal came early and was a gift. Former Celt Scott Bain slid out and spilled the ball into Duran's path, and the Colombian tucked it away. VAR initially flagged for offside but overturned the decision, and the Hoops were up and running.
Duran added his second shortly after, racing through to finish after a neat move down the left involving Yang Hyun-jun and Kieran Tierney. Falkirk were forced to hang on as Mika Baur was denied by a stunning save from Bain, who then produced an even better block to keep out Benjamin Nygren after the break.
Falkirk pull one back
Celtic were cruising but got slack, and Falkirk pulled one back with 15 minutes remaining. Conor McLeod sped in behind, and although Viljami Sinisalo made a tremendous block, the ball spun up and came off Donovan to trickle into the net.
The Hoops should have sealed it when Yang headed over and Nygren skied one from close range, but a happy homecoming was never in doubt.
Fan protests muted
Supporters were still fuming following the LASK collapse and unfurled a banner before kickoff branding the club a 'World Class Embarrassment' with a lengthy list of rivals in Celtic's European roll of shame. But the toxicity of last term did not fully materialise, with no repeat of the anti-board slogans, chants, protests and disruptions seen previously.
Fans backed the team all day, showed patience when things got ragged, and even gave an ovation to Luke McCowan when he came off the bench. Whether the relative harmony remains could depend on action in the final days of the transfer window.
Squad gaps remain
Celtic were too strong for Falkirk but still have gaps in the squad ahead of a hectic period of seven games in 22 days across three competitions. The Hoops coped without McGregor and Hogh, but Kieran Tierney and Cameron Carter-Vickers will be asked to produce every three days, and Yang is set to depart for the Asian Games.
With Arne Engels' replacement still needed, Martin O'Neill will want at least three new faces before Wednesday's European deadline rather than Thursday, when the transfer window shuts.
Duran's move into his more usual position up front proved decisive. The Colombian, who arrived in a £6m switch from Qarabag, has been superb in a wide role but was lethal through the middle, his pace causing the Falkirk defence major problems.
New wide Bhoy Hassan also got his first proper look, with the Egypt World Cup star showing off a box of tricks. It was just his first start, but he looks capable of thrilling one minute and frustrating the next.
Falkirk, who gave Celtic serious problems last season, toiled here. John McGlynn's squad was picked apart in the summer, and the new-look group is still finding its feet. There were moments of their trademark passing game and they carved out the odd opportunity, but the problems were at the back, with the opener a nightmare and too many easy passages of play for Celtic.
