Celtic’s win under the Friday night lights was the perfect way to start the weekend.

After beating Aberdeen 2–0 last Sunday, Celtic were back at Paradise for another test, this time in the Premier Sports Cup against Falkirk. As I always say, you should never underestimate any opponent – even one who comes from the lower end of the table. Football has a funny way of punishing complacency, and every match has to be treated seriously.

From the very first whistle, the Celtic Lions made their intentions clear. They went straight on the attack, pressing Falkirk deep into their own half and causing chaos in the penalty box almost immediately. The tempo was fierce, the movement sharp, and the hunger to score was written all over the players’ faces. This wasn’t just a good start – it was excellent, and something the whole squad should be proud of, as so am I.

In the opening minutes the pressure kept building. By the 8th minute Celtic were swarming all over Falkirk’s defence, fighting for that first goal. A word of caution, though – as I always remind myself, The Hoops need to stay switched on and make sure they don’t give the opposition too many chances at the other end.

On 10 minutes, the first real opening came, and it was from our opponents, when Irish midfielder Liam Welsh tried his luck, but his shot was blocked at the last moment. Then came another big opportunity this time for us: captain Callum McGregor floated in a brilliant delivery into the box, only for Falkirk’s goalkeeper to smother it bravely. At this point, it was clear a goal was coming – it was just a matter of when.

By the 13th minute, the pressure was becoming unbearable for Falkirk. Tierney drove forward and tried to break the deadlock, but his effort went wide. The Hoops kept on fighting – 16 minutes gone, still no breakthrough. On the 22nd minute mark, Celtic pushed again and again, sending quality balls into the danger zone. It felt tricky, like one of those matches where the breakthrough takes its time, but you always sensed that the dam would eventually burst.

And then, finally, it did. In the 26th minute, Celtic’s brilliant Daizen Maeda struck. What a finish it was – an excellent instinctual goal, the kind we’ve come to expect from him. A good cross into the box was met by Tierney’s head. It dropped into the danger zone, and Daizen, with a diving header, sent it home.

The roar inside Celtic Park was something else. 1–0 to the Hoops, and fully deserved. At this point, let me just have a wee word with the Celtic Board – please don’t make the terrible mistake of selling Maeda. For the sake of the club, we have to keep him. He is one of our brightest stars, and losing him would weaken us tremendously.

Straight after, in the 27th minute, Luke McCowan tried to double the lead, but just couldn’t find the finish. Then on 32 minutes, Celtic were right back pressing, chasing the second. James Forrest, who had been trying so hard to get a goal, almost got his chance. He had another on 38 minutes after a brilliant cross from McCowan, but once again Falkirk defended desperately.

So, the first half ended 1–0, with Celtic in full control and more goals surely waiting in the second. The performance, the pressing, the dominance – everything was excellent. Professional. Just the finishing was a little disappointing … this is why the manager wants a couple of signings in the front areas.

The second half began exactly as the first had ended: with Celtic on the front foot and hungry for more. There was no sign of slowing down, no easing off the gas. Falkirk’s penalty box became a danger zone once again, and it was clear Rodgers’ men were determined to hammer home their superiority.

And hammer it home they did. On 54 minutes, Alistair Johnston delivered a goal to remember. The Canadian star came forward, cut inside and unleashed a strike with his left foot from distance, sending the ball flying past the goalkeeper. 2–0, and Paradise erupted. Johnston’s performance throughout was so good he deservedly went on to be named man of the match. It was one of his best displays in a while.

James Forrest, meanwhile, was working tirelessly. You could see how much he wanted a goal, maybe even needed one, especially as this is his final season at the club. He tried and tried, but fate wasn’t on his side this time. Still, his effort was clear for everyone to see, and that hunger is exactly what you want from a Celtic player.

But if it wasn’t to be Forrest’s night, it certainly was for another returning hero. Kieran Tierney – back at Celtic after his big move away, was delivering ball after ball into the box. He has started the season in storming fashion.

But it was another academy kid who stole the headlines, just after the hour mark, as Dane Murray scored on the very day he signed his new deal. It was another great dead-ball delivery – both Engels and Nygren were excellent at that all night, with Engels actually hitting the inside of the crossbar with one – and big Murray got above everyone in the box to head in home and deliver for the club he loves. His joy was written all over his face, and the fans loved every second of it. 3–0 Celtic.

Barely three minutes later, the scoreline stretched even further. Yang tore into the box with pace, cut the ball back, and poor Liam Henderson turned it into his own net under pressure. Celtic’s fourth goal in 64 minutes – 4–0, and Falkirk were sinking fast.

To their credit, Falkirk did pull one back on 67 minutes through Adams, but it was little more than a consolation. Celtic were already cruising, and the gulf in class was obvious.

Even after that, The Hoops kept pressing. Johnston nearly bagged another, only for the goalkeeper to deny him. Bernardo showed wonderful skill around the 82nd minute, dancing on the edge of the box before seeing his effort deflected for a corner. Nygren sent in a superb late cross, met by Yang, but his header just wouldn’t dip under the bar.

By the closing minutes, Falkirk were hanging on, and Celtic were still searching for a fifth. It didn’t come, but it hardly mattered.

The final whistle blew on a commanding 4–1 victory, one that showcased Celtic’s quality, their determination, and their sheer dominance from start to finish.

So, another win for our champions. The Celtic Lions once again showed their power and hunger, hammering Falkirk and marching confidently into the next stage of the cup.

Brendan Rodgers’ Bhoys now turn their focus to Europe, with a must-win Champions League clash against Kairat on Wednesday. It will be tough, no doubt about it – but if Celtic play with this much intensity, hunger and belief, then I say bring it on.

Fingers crossed for another famous night under the lights!