 McDonald broke the deadlock at Falkirk Stadium |
Scott McDonald's goal gave Celtic a fortunate and controversial win over Falkirk that narrows the gap on SPL leaders Rangers to four points. The home side had two strong claims for a penalty turned down.
Dean Holden suffered a broken leg after a tackle from Celtic's Stephen McManus and, as play carried on, Graham Barrett missed a great chance for the Bairns.
Celtic were also denied a penalty but were lucky not to have McDonald's headed 45th-minute goal ruled offside.
Aiden McGeady had returned from suspension to replace the injured Andreas Hinkel, with Paul Hartley making way by dropping from Celtic's midfield to right-back.
Falkirk head coach John Hughes made three changes as he started his own four-match touchline ban.
Robert Olejnik replaced the injured Tim Krul in goal, while Tam Scobbie and Patrick Cregg were preferred to Kenny Milne and Carl Finnigan.
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And Hughes' changes worked wonders as Falkirk enjoyed most of the pressure while their young goalkeeper was rarely tested.
They had claims for a penalty denied by referee John Underhill when a Holden cross struck the hand of Gary Caldwell.
When the ball was cleared, Arnau Riera sent in a looping drive from 25 yards, but it flew straight into the arms of goalkeeper Artur Boruc.
McBride's half-volley rose a few yards over the crossbar from just inside the box.
And Boruc produced a fine, finger-tip save to prevent a Pedro Moutinho free-kick curling in at the back post.
Celtic did not threaten until the 19th minute, McDonald hooking a volley a yard over the bar from 12 yards.
 Holden's leg was broken after a tackle from McManus |
Falkirk suffered a double blow after 34 minutes when Holden was stretchered off after an over-the-ball tackle by McManus.
Play had been allowed to go on as Holden's pass found Barrett in the clear 15 yards from goal.
But, as Celtic wrongly claimed for offside - Hartley was goalside of the striker - Barrett's low drive was weak and easily held by Boruc.
Falkirk got the rub of the green after 41 minutes when Scott Arfield appeared to check Lee Naylor's run in the box, but appeals for a penalty were turned down.
However, Celtic were the ones to benefit from a slice of luck when they took the lead in stoppage time.
McDonald was in an offside position as he stole in ahead of Olejnik to flick the ball home from 10 yards following a Shunsuke Nakamura cross.
The Bairns showed great character by continuing to dominate possession after the break.
Yet, for all their fine lead-up play, they found it difficult to create clear-cut chances of force Boruc into the action.
However, they again had strong claims for a penalty denied when McBride was challenged from behind by Massimo Donati after 72 minutes.
Celtic survived intense late pressure but came close to a second when Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink fired against the post on the break.
Falkirk: Olejnik, Ross, Holden (Milne 35), Barr, Scobbie, Cregg, Riera, Arfield, McBride (Latapy 81), Moutinho, Barrett (Finnigan 86).
Subs Not Used: Barclay, Aafjes, Bradley, Stewert.
Booked: Ross, Milne.
Celtic: Boruc, Caldwell, Naylor, McManus, Hartley (Caddis 74), Scott Brown, Nakamura (Sno 68), McGeady, Donati, McDonald (Killen 90), Vennegoor of Hesselink.
Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Zurawski, Riordan, Pressley.
Booked: McDonald, Donati.
Goals: McDonald 45.
Att: 6,803
Ref: J Underhill
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