BRENDAN RODGERS may have been hoping this midweek match against newly-promoted Falkirk would serve as a chance for him to rotate and rest players ahead of an Old Firm cup semi-final clash at the weekend.
Instead? It’s a MUST-WIN for the Celtic boss, having watched his side lose 3-1 to Hearts on Sunday to fall eight points behind them in the early Premiership title race.
Rodgers insists that what matters is where both teams will be in May and he is correct in that assessment.
But he certainly didn’t want to be so many points behind the league leaders at the end of October.
What makes victory even more important for Celtic is that Rangers showed some signs of life under new head coach Danny Rohl at the weekend.
While they still have a ways to go, the Ibrox men are up to fifth and hoping to close the gap to their Glasgow rivals.
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Falkirk travel to Parkhead to take on the Hoops and, ironically, they are on the same points total as Rangers.
What that means is that for all Gers’ woes, the Bairns will be no pushovers in this one as they look to pull off an upset in the same way Dundee did at Dens Park, or hold the Hoops to a draw just like Hibs managed a month ago.
The two teams met in a Premier Sports Cup clash earlier this season (Celtic won 4-1), but this one has a different feel about it. Here’s all you need to know…
What time does Celtic vs Falkirk kick off?
- Celtic vs Falkirk kicks off at 7.45pm on Wednesday, October 29
- The match will be played at Celtic Park in Glasgow
Is Celtic vs Falkirk live on TV and can I live stream it?
- No, Celtic vs Falkirk is NOT live on TV in the UK
- BBC Radio Scotland will provide live audio coverage of the match
- Alternatively, you can follow every kick of the ball right here with our live blog
Who is the referee and VAR?
- The referee for Celtic vs Falkirk is Ryan Lee with Ross Macleod and David Dunne as the assistants
- Grant Irvine is the VAR with Gary Hilland on assistant VAR duty
Team news
Celtic’s injury issues were shown to their full extent at the weekend, with Rodgers unable to call upon four key players in Daizen Maeda, Kelechi Iheanacho, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston.
Of that quartet, it’s only Maeda who looks like he could be ready in time to face the Bairns.
John McGlynn can empathise with Rodgers, with Falkirk having had plenty of injury problems of their own this season.
Coll Donaldson, Aidan Nesbitt and Ethan Ross have all missed time and the latest to head to the treatment table is on-loan Hearts defender Lewis Neilson, with an ankle injury ruling him out for several weeks at least.
Latest odds*
Celtic 1/7
Draw 13/2
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Falkirk 14/1
*Latest odds courtesy of PaddyPower and correct as of 5pm on Monday, October 23.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
