CAMILO DURAN fired in his second successive double at Parkhead as Celtic overcame Falkirk 2-1 yesterday to maintain their 100 per cent record in the Premiership.
The Colombian striker also netted two in the 3-0 success over LASK in the first leg of the Champions League play-off before the inexplicable collapse in the return in Austria during the week.
The Hoops needed a hero to get back on track and Duran, a £6million arrival from Qarabag last month, stepped up to the plate to deliver once more.
Duran moved in from his wide right berth to take over from Kasper Hogh to lead the attack with the Danish frontman missing out after sustaining an injury in Linz.
PARADISE…happy Bhoy Camilo Duran celebrates another double at Parkhead.
The pacy forward capitalised on a blunder by ex-Celtic keeper Scott Bain to score an early opener to soothe the nerves – on and off the pitch – and he doubled the team’s advantage with a well-timed run and finish after a run and cross from Kieran Tierney on the left.
Colby Donovan unfortunately put through his own goal in the 72nd minute to ensure a nervy ending, but afterwards O’Neill singled out Duran for special praise.
The veteran gaffer said: “Camilo’s a terrific footballer. I think he’s a natural forward and he’s drifted there when Kasper Hogh has played centre-forward.
“Kasper gives you physical strength, too, and is a goalscorer in and around the penalty area, but Camilo’s just a dream to work with.
“His English is getting better and all we just keep saying to him: ‘Son, you’re brilliant’.”
HEAD’S UP…Martin O’Neill ponders on Celtic’s win over Falkirk.
O’Neill, speaking to CelticPlayer, continued: “The win was the most important thing, it always is.
“It was a tough week for everyone connected to the football club, not just us, but the people who pay their money to come and support us, and we let them down on Tuesday.
“So, we’re absolutely delighted to have won the game.
“We played some really, really lovely stuff at times and we could have been out of sight by half-time. We missed some really glorious chances to put the game beyond them.”
O’Neill added: “I felt at 2-0, Falkirk were never out of the game, as it proved, and when they scored the goal, it was a tough 15 minutes for us.
“It’s been a tough old week, so it’s good to win the game and we’ll get better.”
Next up for the champions is Aberdeen’s visit to Parkhead on Wednesday evening with another three crucial points up for grabs.
WANT TO KNOW A SECRET? Celtic Confidential is the stunning book that brings the exclusive inside stories behind the headlines. Who was the tycoon who would have ruined Celtic? What really happened the night Kenny Dalglish quit the club? The real story behind Mo Johnston’s sensational move to Ibrox. All is revealed in Alex Gordon’s sixteenth Celtic book which is available NOW. Order a copy and get £5 OFF the cover price of £25. Just click SHOP HERE and your book will be on its way. Enjoy the revelations!
