maloney shines as bhoys beat falkirk

Gregor Kyle
IT was a day of new beginnings at Celtic Park as Glenn Loovens, Marc Crosas and the recently returned Shaun Maloney starred in a highly entertaining 3-0 win over Falkirk.

Celtic’s ‘prodigal son’, signed just a day earlier from Aston Villa, had a hand in all three of the goals and has clearly arrived with a point to prove, producing an outstanding performance in his first game back.

It was also a day in where the club paid tribute to the past, with former player, manager and true Celtic great, Billy McNeill, celebrating the 50th anniversary of his debut.

But with Stephen McManus scoring, Georgios Samaras claiming a double and the team playing some wonderful football, the supporters left the ground enthusing about the future and looking forward to next week’s derby meeting with Rangers.

Within four minutes of kick-off Celtic created the first chance of the match with Shunsuke Nakamura picking up where he left off last week against Dundee United, turning beautifully and weaving past two defenders before lifting a ball in to the back post which just evaded the stretching leg of Samaras.

After this early opening Celtic continued to warm up nicely, patiently keeping possession and trying to prise open a tight defence, with one long ball over the top almost presenting Celtic’s Greek number nine with a clear path at goal.

Gordon Strachan’s men had looked solid at the back during this opening 15 minutes, with new Bhoy Loovens easing into the game with a couple of confidence-boosting early headers.

Then, in the 17th minute, the defence was forced to scramble, with McManus sliding in with an excellent challenge to deny John Stewart in front of goal and Artur Boruc pulling off an outstanding save to block Scott Arfield’s follow-up at point blank range.

Although this stood as a glorious chance for Falkirk, it was merely a momentary blip for Celtic as the defence settled immediately, although the supporters had greater concerns when Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink was stretchered off after a collision with Lee Bullen.

The big Dutchman fell heavily after challenging for a 50-50 with the Falkirk veteran and immediately signalled to the touchline for assistance, while Maloney was sent out to warm up.

Moments later the little forward was on the park, winning a free kick out on the right touchline that Nakamura swung in to the near post.

Despite their later protests that there was a handball inside the box, the Falkirk defence was caught napping as the free kick arrived and McManus was left unmarked to power his header past goalkeeper, Robert Olejnik.

With Maloney combining well with Aiden McGeady, Celtic stepped up a gear and with just five minutes to go before half-time, McGeady skipped away from Jackie McNamara, got to the byline and lifted in a cross for Maloney who saw his header deflect off Bullen.

Four minutes later he then turned the provider as Celtic doubled their lead with one slick, incisive move.

Celtic’s new number 13 was on the halfway line when he received the ball and turned, bearing towards goal before rolling a beautifully weighted pass in behind the defence and into the path of Samaras.

With Maloney’s timing and vision having beaten the offside trap, the big striker was able to round the keeper unhindered and simply roll the ball into the back of the empty net.

Samaras had another chance to add to Celtic’s lead, while Gerard Aafjes inspired an excellent save from Boruc as the game entered injury time and the second half kicked off at a similar pace, with Falkirk’s John Stewart almost getting on the end of a high cross to the back post.

While both sides were working hard and showing a fair amount of imagination, Celtic had the edge on quality and were it not for a heavy first touch and well-timed challenge from Bullen, Maloney might have re-opened his account with the champions after being put through by McGeady.

Then, just a few minutes later, the little man carved open the defence with another perfect lay off for Samaras which the striker drove straight at Olejnik.

There was a feeling that another chance would not be long in arriving though and in the 68th minute, the irrepressible Maloney carved out another opening for his partner, playing a lovely one-two with Samaras which sent the big striker through on goal, where he drove his shot under Olejnik to make it three.

By now the chants of ‘one Shaun Maloney’ were ringing across the stands and the champions were in full flow, playing some lovely football against a side who have caused them more than their fair share of problems in previous meetings.

In the closing stages there was much plenty to keep the supporters occupied, with Maloney and Mark Wilson coming close, Nakamura tying Aafjes in knots on the touchline and Olejnik somehow denying Killen and Maloney with a wonderful double stop.

As the teams left the pitch at the full-time whistle the crowd were on their feet to a man, hailing what was a statement of intent from the Scottish champions ahead of next week’s derby.

Scottish Premier League
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Celtic Park, Glasgow
CELTIC… 3
(McManus 31, Samaras 45, 68)
FALKIRK… 0
WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: Shaun Maloney
CELTIC (4-4-2) Boruc; Hinkel, Loovens, McManus, Wilson; Nakamura, Hartley, S Brown (Crosas 73), McGeady; Vennegoor of Hesselink (Maloney 28), Samaras (Killen 73).
Subs: M Brown, Caddis, Robson, O’Dea.
FALKIRK (4-4-2) Olejnik; McNamara, Bullen, Barr, Aafjes; Arfield, Cregg, McBride (Mitchell 84), M Stewart (McCaffrey 84); Higdon, J Stewart (Robertson 84).
Subs: Flinders, Gibb, Staunton, Murdoch.