Bhoys power past Falkirk

Celtic picked up their first win of the season as they came from behind to beat Falkirk 4-1.

Three goals in a devastating five-minute spell late in the game from Kenny Miller, Shunsuke Nakamura and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink helped Gordon Strachan celebrate his 100th game in charge in style.

The win was the perfect boost for Celtic ahead of their UEFA Champions League qualifier with Spartak Moscow next week.

Falkirk got off to a flying start when Michael Higdon headed home Steven Thomson's cross at the far post after just four minutes.

The goal stung Celtic into action and Massimo Donati headed Shunsuke Nakamura's corner over the crossbar on eight minutes.

A minute later Vennegoor of Hesselink saw his shot turned round the post by Tim Krul as Celtic pushed for an equaliser.

Equaliser

Celtic were handed an equaliser on the half-hour mark with an unfortunate own goal from Kenny Milne.

Milne diverted Donati's cross into his own net after Krul had initially kept out a shot from the Italian midfielder.

Celtic stepped up the pressure in the second half and Scott Brown went close on 56 minutes with a neat turn and shot inside the box which Krul saved well.

Donati really should have given Celtic the lead on 62 minutes when he found space inside the box, but with only Krul to beat he somehow skied his shot over the crossbar.

Krul denied Celtic on 70 minutes when he kept out Miller's close-range shot with his legs.

Falkirk almost restored their lead very much against the run of play on 73 miutes when Higdon saw his towering header tipped over the crossbar by Brown.

Celtic finally hit the front on 76 minutes when Miller scored his first goal of the season.

Miller drilled home a left-footed shot from inside the box after Aiden McGeady's acrobatic overhead kick came back off the post.

Milne's miserable day was compounded 12 minutes from time when he was sent off for bringing down Vennegoor of Hesselink as he raced clear on goal.

Free kick

From the resulting free-kick Nakamura punished Falkirk with a trademark strike into the top corner past the helpless Krul.

Celtic added a fourth goal two minutes later when Vennegoor of Hesselink netted from close-range.

Click on fixture for full match summary

Falkirk 1 Celtic 4