Celtic 3-1 Falkirk – Time For Those UnMissable Definitive RatingsSANDMAN’S DEFINITIVE RATINGS: CELTIC v ILLEGITIMATE BRATS…“He never sleeps, Jamesy Forrest. He is dancing, dancing.nHe says that he will never die.” – from ‘Blood Meridian’, by Cormac McCarthy.Spirit of ’86 – Celtic team’s welcome to Paradise. Saturday 25 April 2026.
Celtic v Falkirk. Scottish Premiership. Photo Photograph by Vagelis GeorgariouVINDALOO – 7/10 – Saves that win titles. That one.
Like last week’s spectacular read of the header, this was exceptional anticipation. Given the variables possible off the fluked smash from son of former Ibrox Time Bandit, John Spencer, for Vinny to calculate in a millisecond and throw himself headlong to get fingertips on it showed the instinct of a natural born keeper. He’s #1 and staying there.
No need to replace him.Anthony Ralston of Celtic is challenged by Calvin Miller of Falkirk during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)TONY THE TIGER – 6.5/10 – A reprise of his Hampden glories to shoulder a title charge? If there’s anyone more reliable then The Brickie for commitment to the jersey in times of need I’ve not seen him in the Hoops this century. You get what is stamped on the pallet – solidity, intensity, foundational stoicism.
Maybe some flair if the sun’s above the yardarm. Like yet another goal attempt which would also have taken the breath away. All-in, ferociously terrific.Kieran Tierney of Celtic scores his team’s second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)KATIE – 7/10 – Following a somewhat tepid showing in the glamour game, the absolute necessity of a full-power KT for the rest of the campaign was emphasised today.
And how. Barnstorming opening half, culminating in his WHUMPH! of a strike – hit like Seve Ballesteros punching a 200-yarder out of deep rough. Second-half fade in synch with the skipper had us reeling, but there’s backup for a reason.Spirit of ’86 – Celtic team’s welcome to Paradise.
Saturday 25 April 2026. Celtic v Falkirk. Scottish Premiership. Photo Photograph by Vagelis GeorgariouOF JUSTICE – 6.5/10 – Back to show the halfwits what positional play is.
His nous in games like these up against tricky, keen domestic upstarts can’t be underestimated. Someone in that backline has to be 100% switched-on, and this season it’s been the Ginger Baresi. Again, today, on-point when the going got tough.Spirit of ’86 – Celtic team’s welcome to Paradise.
Saturday 25 April 2026. Celtic v Falkirk. Scottish Premiership. Photo Photograph by Vagelis GeorgariouCRUSTY THE CLOWN – 6/10 – A bit shook up last week was the man from Elvisland.
But with his regular partner joining him for dinner-time kick-off he played like a man whose insurance policy has been underwritten by Jeff Bezos. Shaky moments balanced out with pertinent blocks and interceptions, up against a mobile and tricky attack.Callum McGregor of Celtic runs with the ball during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)CALMAC – 6.5/10 – Knowing the dynamo has some sort of troublesome motor issue means every time the Celtic engine room goes into action I’m watching and listening for the cylinder head gasket to blow, more paranoid than a Zombie infiltrator at an Opus Dei meeting.
But one thing he’s managing to do before the wheels threaten to come off is stage a meaningful period of domination where we can press advantage. If that’s not taken, there’s not a lot the skipper can do about it; others need to step up and gild the Easter Lilly, so to speak. Thankfully we did take just enough decent advantage of the domination he founded before his inevitable tail-off and replacement.Kieran Tierney of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park Stadium on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)THE TERMINATOR – 6/10 – May be ticking his games off at Celtic but let’s hope he – like Daizen – can find a flourish to leave us champions. At the moment he’s providing able assistance to the listing captain, but I’m of the notion that he’s going to have to find some extra and step-up big-time somewhere through these final games.Benjamin Nygren during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)NEGAN – 5.5/10 – Aye, sort of hanging around looking for spaces and pretty passes, maybe sniffing a goal out of nowhere…But he didn’t get it, bar a free-kick well saved, and that’s where he becomes a luxury that we have to wonder is affordable for the high-intensity matches looming?Yang Hyun-Jun of Celtic runs with the ball under pressure from Ben Broggio of Falkirk during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and