Falkirk Beat Celtic 2-0 for Their First Win Over the Champions in 19 Years

Falkirk beat Celtic 2-0 at the Falkirk Stadium on Sunday, November 1, in the Scottish Premiership. It was their first win over Celtic since 2007, a wait of 19 years. Both goals came in the first half.

Falkirk scored early. Ethan Ross opened the scoring in the third minute. Ryan Strain crossed into the box. Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers tried to clear the ball, but he sent it straight to Ross. Ross put it into the net.

Scott Tanser made it 2-0 in the 38th minute. He beat Carter-Vickers and hit the ball into the bottom corner. Falkirk had a third goal ruled out in the second half. Jacob Murrell scored, but VAR showed a handball before the ball crossed the line.

Celtic pushed hard after the break. They piled on the pressure late in the game, but they could not find a way through. The man who stopped them was Falkirk goalkeeper Scott Bain. He is a former Celtic goalkeeper. He made 10 saves and kept a clean sheet against his old club.

The result is a big setback for Celtic. Martin O'Neill's side missed the chance to go seven points clear at the top. They are still leaders with 28 points from 12 games. They are four points clear of Rangers, who have played one game fewer. But it was Celtic's second league defeat of the season. It was also their sixth defeat in 10 games in all competitions, and they have kept just one clean sheet in those 10 games.

For Falkirk, the result is a major boost. They moved up to fourth place with 18 points from 12 games. They are two points behind Hearts. It was their fourth league win in a row. It was also their third straight clean sheet.

Celtic had not lost to Falkirk in the league since 2007. That run of results has now ended. The defeat also means the gap between Celtic and Rangers is smaller than it could have been.