Celtic’s Martin O’Neill on Falkirk’s Form in Pre-Match Presser

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill previewed Sunday’s Scottish Premiership trip to Falkirk, a Matchweek 12 fixture at Falkirk Community Stadium. Kick-off is at 1pm on Sunday 1 November, and the referee is Duncan Nicolson.

O’Neill spoke about Celtic’s lead at the top of the table, the effect of late signings, Falkirk’s recent form and how his forwards are fitting together. Celtic are without Alistair Johnston, who has a leg injury.

Celtic’s league lead

“Yeah, I think we’ve done fine, we’re leading the league at this minute, a four point gap, which is nothing at all at this stage of the season.”

What he said

Asked to assess the first round of league fixtures, O’Neill pointed to Celtic’s position at the top of the Scottish Premiership and the size of their lead.

What he meant

O’Neill acknowledges the lead but plays it down. Celtic have 28 points from 11 games, with nine wins, one draw and one defeat, and have scored 27 goals and conceded eight. His words suggest he does not regard the position as settled.

Late signings need time

“A number of players came in quite late on, so it will take time for us.”

What he said

O’Neill said that several players arrived late in the transfer window and that the squad needs time to settle.

What he meant

This reads as an explanation for why Celtic are not yet playing as he wants, even with the league record above. Their last five league matches brought three wins, one draw and one defeat. He frames the squad as a work in progress rather than a finished team.

Hanging in there

“So we need to hang in there, and at this minute I think we’re hanging in.”

What he said

O’Neill followed up by saying Celtic need to stay in touch while the new players bed in, and that he believes they are doing so.

What he meant

“Hanging in” is cautious language for a side top of the table. It fits with a run that includes a 7-1 win over Hearts on Sunday 18 October, but also a 2-2 draw with Dundee United on Wednesday 28 October, in which Celtic had 18 corners to the opposition’s five.

Falkirk’s current form

“We’re playing against Falkirk, they themselves are after a bit of a stodgy start, they’re flying now at the moment.”

What he said

O’Neill described Falkirk as having started slowly but being in good form now.

What he meant

The league table supports his description. Falkirk are sixth with 15 points from 11 games, having won four, drawn three and lost four. Their last five league matches brought three wins, one draw and one defeat, and they won 1-0 at Aberdeen on Wednesday 28 October, after a 3-0 home win over Kilmarnock on Saturday 24 October.

Expecting a difficult game

“It’ll be a difficult game for us, but we’ve a chance to try and win the game if we can, and that’s what we’ll try and do.”

What he said

O’Neill said he expects a hard match but that Celtic have the opportunity to win it.

What he meant

The wording is measured rather than assertive: “a chance” and “if we can”. Falkirk have conceded 12 goals in 11 league games and Celtic have conceded eight, so O’Neill is not describing a game he expects to be one-sided.

Osmand as a centre forward

“I totally agree that Callum Osmand is actually really a centre forward, I’ve said this at the press conference, that he is essentially a centre forward, he probably would play off somebody strong alongside him, I’m not so sure that he could lead the line on his own.”

What he said

O’Neill was asked about comments on Camilo Duran and McGregor, and he said he agreed that Callum Osmand is a centre forward. He added that Osmand would probably play best alongside a strong partner and that he is unsure he could lead the line alone.

What he meant

The comment points to O’Neill considering a pairing up front rather than a lone striker. He did not name his team for Sunday, so it does not confirm who will start at Falkirk.

Fixing the front three

“We’ll sort it out, we seem to be doing okay domestically, trying to sort it out.”

What he said

On how Celtic’s front three is working, O’Neill said the issue will be resolved and that the side are doing well domestically.

What he meant

He accepts there is something still to fix but does not sound concerned. Celtic’s 27 goals in 11 league games back up his view that the problem is not hurting them in the league.

Confidence check: Measured

O’Neill sounds measured. He is content with Celtic’s position at the top, but he repeatedly stresses that it is early, that the squad needs time and that the game at Falkirk will be difficult.

The facts behind his tone are mixed. Celtic have the best record in the league on the table, with 28 points and only eight goals conceded, but their last five league matches brought two games without a win. Falkirk have won four of their last six in all the games listed, including their last three.

His description of Falkirk as “flying” carries more weight than a routine compliment. He ended by saying Celtic will try to win, but he did not claim they would.

How to watch

Falkirk vs Celtic kicks off at 1pm UK time on Sunday 1 November, live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football, NOW. Subscribers can stream it on Sky Go, NOW.