Martin O’Neill celebrated his Celtic homecoming with a thumping 4-0 win over Falkirk at Parkhead. The 73-year-old former manager was installed along with the former Celtic player Shaun Maloney as the interim management team after the stunning resignation of Brendan Rodgers on Monday night.
Celtic fans continued their protest against Dermot Desmond, the club’s major shareholder, and the board outside the stadium before the game due, in part, to a perceived poor summer transfer window. Desmond sat in the directors’ box and watched his fellow Irishman Johnny Kenny fire Celtic into the lead after half an hour and then head in a second 10 minutes later, before goals from Benjamin Nygren and Sebastian Tounekti in the second half increased the fun factor.
After a false start for Röhl away to Brann in the Europa League last Thursday, he has ignited his reign with league victories over Kilmarnock and Hibs – the first time the Ibrox side have enjoyed back-to-back wins since May. Rangers are now up to third.
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Stuart Armstrong’s first Aberdeen goal continued a mini-revival for Jimmy Thelin as the Dons moved up to 10th. The former Scotland international scored in the 18th minute to give the visitors a 1-0 win against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, a third league victory in four matches.
The much-maligned Aberdeen backline then held firm despite sustained pressure to gain a confidence-boosting clean sheet. Aberdeen were joint-top of the table at this stage last year but their league form dropped away after the autumn and Thelin was under pressure after a dreadful start to this season. However, this gutsy effort gives the Swedish coach breathing space, moving them four points clear of bottom club Livingston.
Motherwell ensured they will head into their semi-final against St Mirren in high spirits after seeing off Dundee United 2-0 at Fir Park. Tawanda Maswanhise’s opener just before the break and Elliot Watt’s superb strike with 13 minutes remaining earned the hosts a deserved win.
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