Scottish Premiership: Celtic emphatic on O'Neill return as Hearts stumble and Rangers win
Celtic were in fine form in Martin O'Neill's return, while Hearts stumbled at St Mirren and Rangers won again under Danny Rohl.
Martin O'Neill celebrated his return to Celtic with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday.
O'Neill was placed in temporary charge following the dramatic exit of Brendan Rodgers this week, and the Northern Irishman, who won seven major honours with the Bhoys between 2000 and 2005, oversaw a comprehensive win at Celtic Park.
Celtic supporters protested before the game but were celebrating when Johnny Kenny fired in the rebound after Benjamin Nygren struck the post, and the same man seized on a knockdown from Nygren to make it 2-0 five minutes before the break.
Nygren got in on the act by capitalising on a poor parry from Falkirk goalkeeper Scott Bain, and Sebastian Tounekti finished from close range to round out the win.
Celtic are now six points behind leaders Hearts, who failed to back up an impressive win over the Bhoys as they twice had to fight back from behind to draw 2-2 at St. Mirren.
Dan Nlundulu scored a brilliant overhead kick to put St. Mirren ahead at the SMISA Stadium, with Lawrence Shankland levelling from close range.
Miguel Freckleton then fired home to restore St. Mirren's lead, and he was denied a second after a VAR intervention, before Claudio Braga headed in Hearts' second equaliser.
Danny Rohl, meanwhile, backed up his first win as Rangers boss against Kilmarnock at the weekend, as Danilo's curling effort after five minutes was enough for a 1-0 win at Hibernian. Jack Butland was influential too, saving a late penalty from Jamie McGrath.
Data Debrief: Hearts recover again, Danilo fast off the mark
Hearts may not have managed to win, but the Jambos have earned eight points from losing positions this season; only Falkirk (nine) have recovered more.
Moreover, they are undefeated in their past 14 Premiership games – their longest streak since at least 2013-14.
Nygren attempted seven shots for Celtic in their rout of Falkirk, the most for a Celtic player in the top-flight this season. He leads the Bhoys in both goals (five) and assists (two) this term.
Timed at just four minutes and 30 seconds, Danilo's winner for Rangers was the fastest in the Premiership this campaign, with Rangers climbing to third as a result of their win, 11 points back of leaders Hearts and five adrift of Celtic in second.
