Celtic restored their lead at the SPL summit after they defeated ninth-placed Falkirk 3-0.
Hoops back four clear at the summit after 3-0 win
Celtic restored their lead at the SPL summit after they defeated ninth-placed Falkirk 3-0.
Goals from Georgios Samaras, Koki Mizuno and Scott McDonald sealed the success as the Hoops rose back four points clear of rivals Rangers.
Former Manchester City striker Samaras had missed a sitter just before the break but made up for it three minutes after the restart when he headed Scott McDonald's cross past Bairns goalkeeper Robert Olejnik.
In the 90th minute, Mizuno, making his first start for Celtic, took a pass from fellow Japanese midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura to slot past Olejnik and cap a fine performance.
In the third-minute of stoppage-time, from a suspiciously offside-looking position, McDonald rounded Olejnik before slamming in a third.
From Celtic's point of view, it was perfect preparation for next week's Old Firm clash at Ibrox.
Hero
Just after kick-off a section of the travelling support, perhaps surprisingly, voiced their support for Aiden McGeady who had been suspended from the first team and fined two weeks' wages after a dressing-room bust-up with manager Gordon Strachan following the 1-1 draw with Hearts.
However, they soon found themselves with a new hero in Mizuno who ended the game with the sound of the fans' cheers in his ears.
It was a more than decent performance from Celtic.
Before two minutes had elapsed McDonald had played a clever one-two with right-back Andreas Hinkel and drilled in a left-footed shot from 14 yards which Olejnik blocked, with Hinkel's follow-up drive diverted for a corner by home defender Darren Barr.
The home side survived, but with the strong wind mostly in Celtic's favour it appeared clear that the champions were in the mood.
In the 16th minute McDonald got his head to an in-swinging Nakamura free-kick from the right but Olejnik was perfectly placed to gather.
Celtic were on top but the first goal nearly came at the other end in the 32nd minute after Falkirk striker Steve Lovell collected Scott Arfield's pass and rounded Hoops goalkeeper Artur Boruc.
From a tight angle, Lovell squeezed in a shot which was heading in until Darren O'Dea raced back to clear off the line.
Celtic reacted and McDonald had another two chances from Hinkel deliveries, but on both occasions, the first with his head, he could only steer the ball past the near post.
In the final minute of the first half Samaras found himself through on goal from McDonald's pass but his casually-struck shot from 12 yards was saved by the foot of Olejnik.
It was poor finishing from the Greece international and Celtic nearly paid for it seconds later but had Boruc to thank for a good point-blank save from former Rangers winger Neil McCann.
The exciting end to the first half had the Falkirk Stadium buzzing at the interval and the second period began in frantic style.
Celtic took the lead in simple fashion within three minutes with Samaras making amends for his earlier miss.
After Olejnik had rather needlessly conceded a throw-in under minimal pressure from McDonald, the Australian took possession from Hinkel.
When his volleyed cross came over to the six-yard box, Samaras had all the time in the world to head past the Bairns goalkeeper.
Whipped
In the 61st minute Samaras should have made it 2-0 when Mizuno whipped over a cross from the left, but the big striker, under no real pressure, headed high and wide from 12 yards.
More good work from Mizuno minutes later on the left led to a chance for McDonald, but his shot from 12 yards did little justice to the build-up and Olejnik saved easily.
As play became increasingly stretched, Samaras had another effort from 30 yards, this time his right-footed drive going wide.
Falkirk boss Hughes introduced Mark Stewart and Carl Finnigan for Arnau Riera and Graham Barrett, and two minutes later Stewart crashed a speculative drive from 30 yards off the post with Boruc beaten.
Falkirk threw everything into the final stages, but in the 90th minute Nakamura sent Mizuno racing clear and he poked the ball under Olejnik to seal the victory, before McDonald scored a third in the third minute of stoppage-time.
But it was Mizuno who will take most of the plaudits from this game as the McGeady saga was almost forgotten for the afternoon.
