CELTIC 4 FALKIRK 0
IRISH eyes were smiling at Parkhead tonight.
Martin O’Neill enjoyed a winning return to Paradise in his first game in charge in two decades.
And it was Republic of Ireland Under-21 international striker Johnny Kenny who helped ease the nerves of the 73-year-old interim manager with a first-half double to make sure the champions were on their way to three points.
Benjamin Nygren and Sebastian Tounekti added two more goals after the turnaround as the Hoops got back on track after losing back-to-back losses at Dundee and Hearts.
It was a good night for the champions as the Tynecastle side drew 2-2 at St Mirren to bring the champions to within six points of the leaders.
However, there was an early alarm call when Scott Arfield had the first shot on target in 90 seconds that was straight at Kasper Schmeichel and only moments later Nygren did the same with a header that was held by a grateful Scott Bain.
The Hoops looked strangely hesitant in the early stages and the visitors were allowed far too many touches on the ball to be comfortable the champions.
Too many sloppy passes gifted possession to John McGlynn’s side as a much-changed line-up tried to find a flow to their game.
IRISH AYES…Johnny Kenny celebrates his strike for the opening goal.
In the 18th minute, a wonderful chance fell to Tounekti after a right-wing corner-kick from Arne Engels.
The Tunisian had a clear sight of goal at the far post eight yards out, but he sliced the ball horribly and the effort didn’t even go wide as it swept across the box.
Tounekti had every right to hold his head in his hands after such a dreadful miss.
Nygren was afforded an opportunity in the 26th minute following a left-wing corner-kick, but once again the header was wayward and cleared the crossbar.
Three minutes later, the Swede passed up another chance when he took a heavy first touch from a neat Kenny pass to allow Bain to race from his line to deal with the menace.
However, the hosts did manage to get the barrier-breaking strike on the half-hour mark when Kenny pounced to capitalise on a rebound in the penalty area.
Nygren collected a pass from Tounekti and tried to slot one behind Bain to his right, but the keeper showed lightning reflexes to get down to claw the ball way from the line.
It fell for Kenny who was the quickest to react as he raced in to clip the ricochet past the grounded ex-Celt into the inviting net.
And the Irishman was celebrating again in the 40th minute with another outstanding finish. Anthony Ralston got the ball moving with an inch-perfect diagonal ball from the right that was cushioned by Nygren towards the young frontman smack in front of goal.
Kenny displayed the killer touch for a second time as he glanced an effort low past Bain into the left-hand corner.
Nygren blew another opportunity just before the interval when he fired wide when he should have at least hit the target.
The Hoops were satisfied with their two-goal advantage at the turnaround with the plaudits going to Kenny, but it shouldn’t be overlooked that Schmeichel made two alert stops at crucial stages after Kenny’s opening strike.
Two minutes after the interval, Nygren sent Kenny clean through, but the frontman squandered the opportunity of a hat-trick with a wild drive that flew well off target.
The third goal arrived in the 58th minute and at last Nygren got his reward for making space in a crowded penalty box.
The goal was down to the immaculate timing of Marcelo Saracchi as the on-loan Uruguayan fired in a first-time volley from the edge of the box after a cross from the right.
Bain got down swiftly to push the ball away, but the ever-alert Nygren was not to be denied on this occasion as he drilled it home.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha replaced James Forrest in the 61st minute and four minutes later goalscorers Kenny and Nygren came off with Daizen Maeda and Luke McCowan joining the action.
The fourth goal arrived in the 73rd minute when a marvellous through ball from McCowan sent Tounekti racing clear on the left.
Falkirk defender Liam Henderson mistimed his tackle as the winger kept his cool, lured Bain from his line and then whipped it low into the net at the exposed keeper’s right-hand post.
In the 77th minute, Callum Osmand came on to make his Hoops debut. The Welsh frontman replaced Tounetki at the same time Reo Hatate came on for captain Callum McGregor.
With the Premier Sports League Cup semi-final against Ibrox opposition due at Hampden on Sunday, the holders eased to the final whistle.
Welcome back, Martin.
TEAM: Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Saracchi; Nygren (sub: McCowan 65), McGregor (sub: Hatate 77), Engels; Forrest (sub: Balikwisha 61), Kenny (sub: Maeda 65), Tounekti (sub: Osmand 77).
