Martin O’Neill heaps praise on Celtic goal hero Camilo Duran | OneFootball

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill is glad to be back to winning ways, as he heaps praise on two goal hero Camilo Duran…

Camilo Duran of Celtic celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on August 29, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic put the pain of the demoralising midweek defeat in Linz, by overcoming Falkirk 2-1 at Celtic Park thanks to a Camilo Duran first half brace.

And despite a nervy last 20 minutes due to the Bairns pulling a goal back, the players held on to make it three league wins out of three. Afterwards the Celtic manager was clearly pleased to see his side return to winning ways especially after returning from Linz having suffered a demoralising defeat having played 120 minutes of football mostly on the back foot.

Win the most important thing say Martin O’Neill

Speaking to in-house club media Celtic-player after the game, the veteran Irishman said: “The win was the most important thing, it always is.

“It was a tough week for everyone connected to the football club, not just us, but the people who pay their money to come and support us, and we let them down on Tuesday. So we’re absolutely delighted to have won the game.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neil lis seen during the Scottish Premiership 2026/27 match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on August 29, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“We played some really, really lovely stuff at times and we could have been out of sight by half-time, and we missed some really glorious chances to put the game beyond them.

“I felt at 2-0, Falkirk were never out of the game, as it proved, and when they scored the goal, it was a tough 15 minutes for us.

A tough old week for Celtic

“It’s been a tough old week, so it’s good to win the game. It’s the most important thing for us, and we’ll get better.”

O’Neill was also delighted to see Camilo Duran show his goalscoring ability, on a day he played through the middle in the absence of Kasper Hogh, and revealed his admiration for the Colombian.

“He’s a terrific footballer,” Martin O’Neill said. “I think he’s a natural forward, but he’s drifted there when Kasper (Hogh) has played centre-forward, and Kasper gives you probably that physical strength as well too.

“Also, Kasper is a goalscorer in and around the penalty area, but Camilo’s just a dream to work with. His English is getting better, but all we just keep saying to him, ‘son, you’re brilliant’.”

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