Celtic secured their spot in the semi-finals of the League Cup with a thrilling 5-2 victory over Championship side Falkirk at Parkhead on Sunday.
Despite the scoreline, Brendan Rodgers’ men were made to work hard for their win, coming from behind twice in a contest that could have easily ended in an upset.
Falkirk, who have already claimed two top-flight scalps in this competition, were in no mood to be overawed, and took the game to Celtic from the start.
The Championship leaders were rewarded with a shock 1-0 lead before the Hoops equalised.
They then went ahead again, but it was Celtic’s superior firepower that ultimately turned the game, with goals from Paulo Bernardo, Adam Idah (twice), and Nicolas Kuhn (twice) sealing the win.
Rodgers made several changes to his starting XI, handing opportunities to some of his fringe players. While a few impressed, particularly Bernardo and Idah, others struggled to make their mark.
Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah grasped their chance:
Paulo Bernardo, dropped to the bench in recent weeks in favour of Arne Engels, was given a chance to remind Rodgers of his qualities, and he did so with a fine display.
The Portugal U21 international levelled the match at 1-1 with a superb volley after Alex Valle’s knockdown, showcasing his attacking instincts and technical ability.
For Adam Idah, this was a crucial game. The Irish striker has been playing second fiddle to Kyogo Furuhashi, whose inconsistent form this season – two goals and nine missed ‘big chances’ – suggests the door is open for competition.
Idah staked his claim emphatically, scoring twice in the space of two minutes to turn the game around for Celtic in the second half. His second goal, a clinical finish, showed a striker brimming with confidence and precision.
Anthony Ralston’s struggles against Falkirk:
While Bernardo and Idah impressed, Anthony Ralston had a night to forget. The right-back, used sparingly in the Premiership this season, was handed a rare start against the lower-league opposition, but failed to convince Rodgers that he deserves more regular playing time.
Ralston was part of a Celtic defence that struggled to deal with Falkirk’s attackers. BBC Scotland’s Kheredine Idessane noted the defensive frailties, and Ralston was particularly culpable for Falkirk’s second goal.
Caught ball-watching, he left Finn Yeats free at the back post, allowing the midfielder to head past Kasper Schmeichel.
Though Ralston did provide an assist for Idah’s first goal with a well-placed pass, his overall performance was not enough to challenge Alistair Johnston’s position as Celtic’s first-choice right-back.
FootballScotland handed Ralston a 6/10 rating, a reflection of his mixed night, and it is unlikely he will start when Celtic face St Johnstone in the Premiership.
For Rodgers, the performances of Bernardo and Idah offer a selection headache ahead of that league clash, while Ralston’s display only reinforces the case for Johnston’s return to the starting XI.
Celtic will now look ahead to their semi-final tie with Aberdeen, but they know they cannot afford any more sluggish performances if they are to lift the trophy.