Celtic Beat Falkirk 3-1 to Level with Hearts

Celtic secured a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Falkirk at Celtic Park on Saturday evening, with Daizen Maeda's two goals and an assist propelling the champions level on points with Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.

The Japanese forward opened the scoring in the 30th minute, charging down a clearance from Falkirk defender Keelan Adams and drilling the loose ball past goalkeeper Nicky Hogarth from 30 yards. Celtic had endured early pressure from the visitors, who created chances through Brad Spencer's volley, saved by Viljami Sinisalo, and efforts from Leon McCann and Dylan Tait that sailed wide. Hogarth then denied Anthony Ralston from distance.

Maeda's relentless pressing paid dividends again just before halftime. In the 44th minute, he dispossessed Ben Broggio and set up Kieran Tierney to fire home from 15 yards, striking the underside of the bar. Falkirk nearly equalized earlier in the half, with Calvin Miller volleying narrowly wide and Tait heading over from a Spencer cross.

The second half saw Falkirk mount a comeback. Substitute Kyrell Wilson lashed a brilliant finish into the top corner from McCann's deep cross in the 70th minute, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and...