BENJAMIN NYGREN used his head as he claimed his twelfth goal of the season and Celtic’s matchwinner at the Falkirk Stadium.
The Swede struck just before the interval in a goalmouth melee after Arne Engels had swung in an inviting corner-kick from the left.
Scott Bain was stranded as the ball dropped perfectly for Nygren to keep his cool and nod home from close range.
Nygren was also on target in the previous game against Dundee United when he cleverly clipped one high into the net for the third goal in a one-way four-goal triumph.
HEAD BHOY…Benjamin Nygren nods in the winner against Falkirk with Liam Scales adding aerial support.
However, the swagger against the Tannadice men at Parkhead four days earlier was replaced by a stagger against John McGlynn’s battlers on this occasion.
The Hoops struggled to create any other worthwhile openings and ex-Celt Bain’s only save of note came when he pushed away header from Daizen Maeda, with Engels once again producing an excellent delivery from another left-wing set-play.
Offering an honest assessment of a tough and hard-fought encounter, Nygren said: “It wasn’t our best performance, but in the end it’s about winning.
“Previously, we haven’t won these kinds of games, so I’m very glad for everyone that we won.
“They were the better side in the first-half, but then we scored with a set-piece and came in 1-0.”
CONGRATULATIONS…Benjamin Nygren celebrates with Arne Engels, Yang Hyun-jun and Daizen Maeda.
Nygren, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “Then we had a little bit more intensity, but they played a good game, as well.
“We’re not pleased with the performance, but, in the end, it’s about getting the three points and that’s what we did.
“I always want to contribute to as many goals as possible, so I’m very pleased to be able to help the team in that.”
Martin O’Neill can now intensify the champions’ search for an attack-leader with the Hoops having some time ff before they take on Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup at Rugby Park on Sunday.
IT’S THE BENJI AND KASPER SHOW
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