Celtic go into Saturday’s game against Falkirk knowing the visitors arrive short at the back, with John McGlynn confirming a number of key absences.
The Falkirk manager has been left to reshuffle after injuries picked up at Hampden, with Scott Bain, Liam Henderson and Filip Lissah all ruled out. From a Celtic point of view, that changes the picture slightly. This is already a game where the Hoops would expect to control the ball, but the disruption in Falkirk’s defence adds another angle.
Bain missing is the big one. McGlynn has trusted him this season, and he brings experience in dealing with pressure. Without him, Falkirk lose a voice at the back and someone used to organising under a high ball. At Celtic Park, that tends to get tested early.
McGlynn now has to put together a different back line. A new goalkeeper and changes in defence can take time to settle, and Celtic have the kind of wide play that looks to expose that.
He said: (The Herald), “Scott could be an issue. He hurt his ankle and got a scan on it.
“There’s nothing broken but there’s a little bit of bone bruising and it’s a bit tender. It’s not straightforward.
“I don’t think it’s going to go into the summer. If anything it might be a two or three-week thing.
“He might still be able to get a game in before the end of the season. Fingers-crossed.
“Liam Henderson has got a little bit of a hamstring injury. Not too serious but it’s not cleared up enough in time for Saturday.
“Filip has been nursing something on his ankle which showed up a little bit in the MRI scan. We’ll need to manage him between now and the end of the season. He’s not going to be able to play this week.
“He might be able to give us something between now and the end of the season.”
McGlynn’s comments suggest Bain won’t be out for long, but it leaves Falkirk exposed for this one. For Celtic, the job is to make that count. Too often this season, games like this have stayed tight longer than they should.
The key will be tempo. If Celtic move the ball quickly and get runners beyond the line, the pressure builds. If it slows, Falkirk will settle into shape and make it difficult, regardless of who is missing.
McGlynn will be looking for his side to stay in the game. That likely means sitting in and keeping numbers behind the ball. Celtic have faced that approach often this season, and breaking it down has not always been smooth.
This is one where an early goal changes everything. Against a patched-up defence, Celtic have the chance to take control and avoid another afternoon where it drags on.
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