Bhoys Are Back On Track

Fans Win Praise As Celtic Take All Three Points

By Tony Quinn

Celtic came from behind to beat 10-man Falkirk 4-1 in at the Falkirk Stadium on Saturday. Bairns striker Michael Higdon opened the scoring after four minutes but team-mate Kenny Milne put through his own goal on the half-hour mark. Second-half goals from Kenny Miller (76) and then an unstoppable Shunsuke Nakamura free kick (79), immediately after Milne had been curiously red-carded for a professional foul on Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, made life comfortable for the champions. Vennegoor of Hesselink added a fourth (81) before the end to put a gloss on the result.

Falkirk defender Darren Barr has confessed to the foul on Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink which ended with Kenny Milne being sent off. With Milne and Barr attempting to get back, the Dutchman tumbled to the ground and McDonald raced up to flash his red card at Milne. However, Barr, insists he was the culprit and is hoping McDonald rescinds the red card.

Celtic supporters have earned the praise of both the SPL and the club after their behavior at the game against Falkirk. With new guidelines about unacceptable conduct at football stadiums having been introduced, the supporters' behavior at this match was impeccable, with Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell praising their efforts at the final whistle. The SPL match observer at the Falkirk Stadium also reported that the authorities were entirely satisfied with the behavior and conduct of the Celtic supporters.

Celtic have confirmed that Jean-Joel Perrier Doumbe has joined the club until the end of the season. The full-back spent the second half of last season on loan at Celtic from Rennes, breaking into the side in the latter part of the campaign and going on to score the match-winning goal in the Scottish Cup Final against Dunfermline. The Cameroon internationalist has now agreed to move to Celtic Park for a second tenure and will remain at the club until the end of the season.

Reports from Spain suggest that Real Betis are keen to hand Thomas Gravesen a return to La Liga. Gravesen had a short stint in Spain with Real Madrid, joining from Everton but leaving for Celtic after just six months at the Bernabeu. A couple of feisty confrontations with his team-mates, whom he accused of not working hard enough for the team, hardly helped his cause. Latest reports suggest that Real Betis coach Hector Cuper is looking to add the Dane to his team. With Celtic demanding a rather modest 3 million euros for him, the move is very much on as far as Betis are concerned. It is unclear, though, whether the tough-tackling Dane is keen on a return to Spain.

Kenny Miller is reportedly a target for Leicester City. The Scotland international had a disappointing first season back in the SPL after moving from Wolves but netted against Falkirk on Saturday and earned praise from boss Gordon Strachan. "You can see that Kenny is integral to what we are trying to do here," said Strachan after the 4-1 win. Celtic have been linked with Republic of Ireland international Ian Harte with the left-back set to leave Spanish side Levante.

Tommy Burns insists there are no fears among the squad over Spartak Moscow's artificial pitch. The Hoops have trained on a similar surface in Glasgow in preparation for the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round clash and Burns is sure the artificial turf will not hinder their chances. "I think the surfaces are totally different from what they were 25-30 years ago," said the first-team coach. So from that point of view it will be the best there is." He added: "We trained on a very good (artificial) surface yesterday at Harmony Row Boys Club up in Govan and it was first class. So from that point of view I don't think we will be looking at it as anything to hold the boys back."

Gordon Strachan insists Celtic will not be playing for a draw against Spartak Moscow. A draw in Moscow on Wednesday would make Celtic strong favorites to go through, but Strachan insists he would never send a team out with a draw as their objective. "I don't think in all the years I've been manager I've said 'listen, a draw is good enough for us', I don't think or plan it that way, I'd rather rely on ability."

Celtic defender Darren O'Dea has been included in the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad for a friendly encounter with Germany next week. O'Dea has first-team experience with Celtic but has found himself on the sidelines this season, with Stephen McManus and John Kennedy the preferred central defensive partnership. The young Dubliner has been on the bench for both league games to date but with no club fixture to be played next week, it is likely that he will be permitted to join up with Don Givens's squad for the trip to Germany.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has made Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc his choice to succeed Jens Lehmann as the club's No1. Reports say the Gunners are even considering a £6million offer before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month. Sources at both clubs confirm talks have taken place about a deal which would see Poland World Cup keeper Boruc, 27, heading for London. Lehmann, 37, signed a new deal in the summer and his deputy, Poland's Lukasz Fabianski, could find himself pushed down the Gunners' list by his compatriot.