With a noticeable lack of cohesion and consistency in the final third of the pitch, particularly, it will require immense effort and determination if Celtic are to triumph in this gruelling championship battle. That is where Daizen Maeda comes into his own. Toil, effort, and energy are his trademarks, and it was precisely these characteristics that paved the way for this hard-fought victory over a Falkirk side that created numerous chances themselves over a highly competitive 90 minutes.
With the game threatening to tip in Falkirk's favour on the half-hour mark, Maeda's relentless pressing forced a calamitous error from Keelan Adams, leading to the opening goal. He then set up Kieran Tierney to make it 2-0 just before the break and delivered a crucial third himself with seven minutes remaining, after Falkirk substitute Kyrell Wilson had set up a nail-biting finale with a fantastic goal for the visitors.
Maeda's inclusion as the spearhead of the forward line came as a surprise to many. Following his two-goal performance off the bench in last weekend's Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren, there was a sense that Kelechi Iheanacho might have done enough to earn a starting place. However, the retention of Maeda by head coach Martin O'Neill proved a wise decision amid a team selection that raised eyebrows in other positions. James Forrest was given his first start in five months, an admission that some poor wingers have passed through Celtic Park over the years, and did little before going off.
It was equally noticeable that not one of the five new faces brought in during the January window made the starting XI. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was on the bench, while loan arrivals Joel Mvuka, Tomas Cvancara, Benjamin Arthur, and Junior Adamu were nowhere to be seen. The fact that Maeda is still around is a clear sign of how messy this season has been at Celtic. He had his bags packed to go to Wolfsburg last summer and would have left, along with Yang Hyun-jun, were it not for the club's inability to bring in replacements.
He hasn't been anywhere near as effective as last term. Credit to him, though, for not completely downing tools after the way he has been treated. As it stands, he remains a key figure for Celtic as this battle for the flag goes down the home straight. He is not the perfect player and certainly not a natural centre-forward, as shown when he squandered a great chance for his hat-trick late on, bending the ball wide when clean through. However, he causes trouble, creates chaos, and pressures defenders into mistakes. He works and grafts and never gives up. That raw perseverance and unending willingness will be required within a side that simply isn't producing enough quality in key areas.
One bonus for O'Neill as he continues trying to wring everything he can out of this ill-constructed squad is that Parkhead feels unified again. It is only a temporary truce, but the atmosphere inside the ground was hugely supportive. One small token of resistance remains in the ultras corner with a banner featuring the crossed-out faces of Dermot Desmond and certain board members. The 'Sack The Board' sentiment has generally been parked until the season's end, however.
Punters were out in force two hours before kick-off to welcome the team. The Green Brigade flew a 'Spirit of 86' banner throughout, invoking memories of the team that overtook Hearts and won the title 40 years ago. This Celtic side lacks the depth and substance of that team, as shown by Falkirk having many moments of their own in what remained a live contest until Maeda finally made it 3-1.
Midway through the first half, Yang gifted the ball to Calvin Miller, who set up Brad Spencer for a 25-yard bouncing effort that Viljami Sinisalo had to touch wide. Leon McCann then fizzed a ball across the face of goal that was begging to be converted, taking a slight deflection off a Celtic jersey to go wide for a corner. Celtic had enjoyed the lion's share of possession without fashioning great chances, and it was a dreadful blunder by visiting defender Adams, coupled with Maeda's persistence, that broke the deadlock.
Adams had plenty of time to deal with a loose ball midway inside his own half but hesitated. That sniff of uncertainty is all Maeda needs. He closed down the Falkirk man, blocked his attempted ball forward with his boot, and raced onto the ball. Goalkeeper Nicky Hogarth was stranded as the Japanese attacker got the ball under control and saw his low shot zip into the empty net, despite Hogarth's glove. It was precisely what Celtic needed at a nervy time, but Falkirk could easily have equalised in the closing moments of the half. Spencer fired in a terrific cross from the right, and Dylan Tait moved onto it directly in front of goal. It looked a certain goal until the ball came off his head at an unlikely angle and shot wide of Sinisalo's left-hand post.
From that opportunity, Celtic broke straight upfield and killed the game dead in emphatic fashion in the 44th minute. Maeda was involved again with a delicious reverse pass out to his left, and Tierney smashed home an absolute cracker, leaving Hogarth flat-footed and helpless. The goal knocked the stuffing out of Falkirk, and it took them time to settle after the interval. Yang had the ball in the net for Celtic just before the hour after being played through by Benjamin Nygren, but the linesman raised his flag for offside.
Yet, all of a sudden around the midway point of the second half, the Bairns found a second wind. Barney Stewart sent a couple of headed efforts wide before substitute Wilson, on for Ben Broggio, controlled a diagonal ball from McCann superbly on the right and smashed home an unstoppable angled drive. Wilson then saw a shot deflect off Liam Scales into the arms of Sinisalo before Maeda finally wrapped things up, moving onto a pass from substitute Seb Tounekti and slotting home.
