The Bhoys Held To A Draw At Falkirk Stadium

Falkirk 3 Celtic 3

Despite scoring three goals, Celtic could only manage a draw at Falkirk Stadium on Sunday, leaving them two points clear of Rangers at the top of the table but having played one more game than their cross-town rivals.

Win-less Falkirk proved more than a match for Celtic in this stunning game in front of just over 6,700 fans, doubling the tally of goals that they've scored this season from two to five.

The home side came out of the dressing room with a determined attitude and they were unlucky not to take an early lead when captain Darren Barr almost put one in Celtic's net from a header.

Celtic had an oppotunity to take the lead in the 43rd minute when Falkirk defender Alex McDonald tripped Danny Fox in the box for a penalty, but 'keeper Robert Olejnik made a fantastic double save, diving right to stop the shot and sticking a foot out to keep McGeady's second-effort out of the net.

Gary Caldwell gave Celtic the lead ten minutes into the second-half, when he headed a Barry Robson free kick into the goal, but the score was tied again just five minutes later when he brought down Ryan Flynn and conceded a penalty at the other end, which Scott Arfield converted.

Flynn soon stole a poor Samaras pass, feeding it to Moutinho, who side-footed it past Zaluska to give Falkirk the lead.

Eight minutes later the scores were tied again when substitue McDonald headed a Fox cross past the this-time helpless Olejnik, and he got his second in the 79th minute when he finished off a good pass from Samaras.

It seemed like Celtic would pick up all three points, but the Bairns were not done yet, Flynn again proving decisive when he flicked on the ball for Falkirk substitute Mark Stewart to drive into the corner of the net.

Tony Mowbray was understandably upset by the draw, saying that "disappointment and anger" were "a couple of the emotions" he felt after the game.

"It's as poor as we've been since I arrived. But credit to Falkirk, they played particularly well.

"We've had a few tired performances after European trips, and today was a very mentally tired performance.

"We just need to look for consistency, and if there is any excuse it is that we had to play a high-energy match against Hamburg on Thursday."

Everton boss David Moyes told reporters that he is in favour of plans put forward by Bolton Wanderers Chairman Phil Gartside that would create a two-tiered English Premier League including Celtic and Rangers: "I'd like to see it because I'm a Scotsman and I think it would be great to see Celtic and Rangers initially in a Premier League Two.

"TV would be interested, media would be interested and the crowds at every ground in the country would increase," he claimed.

The proposal, which would see the Premier League being expanded into two divisions of 18 teams each are due to be discussed by Premier League bosses this week, but any chance requires the agreement of 14 of the 20 current clubs.