PERTH, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Odsonne Edouard of Celtic celebrates after scoring their team's second goal during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between St. Johnstone and Celtic at McDiarmid Park on February 14, 2021 in Perth, Scotland. PHOTO BY IAN MACNICOL/GETTY IMAGES.
Celtic return to Scottish Premiership action at Celtic Park on Saturday, August 29, 2026, looking to restore confidence after a crushing European exit earlier in the week.
Martin O’Neill’s side face Falkirk in what is expected to be an emotionally charged atmosphere at Parkhead following their midweek Champions League collapse.
Celtic surrendered a four-goal advantage against LASK in Austria, eventually losing 5-4 on aggregate in the Champions League play-off round to crash out of Europe’s premier competition.
The defeat is estimated to have cost Celtic around £30 million in lost revenue after the club dropped into the Europa League as a consequence of the result.
That financial and psychological blow has darkened the mood around a club that had, until midweek, been considered to be making a positive start to the new season.
Celtic had won their opening two Premiership matches against Dundee and Kilmarnock before the European nightmare unfolded in Austria.
The Scottish champions also progressed in the Premier Sports Cup following a comfortable victory over Dundee United at Tannadice, giving the squad further reasons for optimism before the LASK collapse.
Now all attention turns to how O’Neill’s squad responds against a Falkirk side managed by John McGlynn, who are playing their first competitive match in three weeks.
McGlynn’s men have endured a stuttering start to the campaign and will be eager to build on the momentum of a top six finish last term by picking up a result at Parkhead.
Celtic will be without captain Callum McGregor for the match after the midfielder missed training on Friday due to a stomach bug.
Kick-off at Celtic Park is scheduled for 3pm, with the match not selected for live television coverage anywhere in the United Kingdom.
Highlights from the game will be broadcast on Sportscene on the BBC Scotland channel at 7:15pm, with a repeat airing on BBC One Scotland at 11:35pm the same evening.
About the Author
