Celtic host Falkirk at Celtic Park on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in the opening fixture of the Scottish Premiership post-split phase. The match kicks off at 5:30pm local time (16:30 UTC) as Martin O’Neill’s side look to maintain their title challenge.
According to the official Celtic FC website, the Hoops have won all four previous meetings against Falkirk this season and another victory would secure crucial three points in the title race. O’Neill acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating his team expects a “tough test” against John McGlynn’s side.
Team news brings a significant boost for the Celtic manager. Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand are both available for selection after recovering from long-term hamstring injuries. Johnston, the right-back, has been sidelined for much of the season but returned to training in recent weeks. Osmand, who scored in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers before his injury, has also resumed full training. O’Neill confirmed both players are “feeling much, much better” and could feature against Falkirk.
The match will be officiated by a referee team appointed by the Scottish Football Association, though specific names were not confirmed in the available sources at the time of publication. Celtic Park, located in Glasgow’s Parkhead district, will host the fixture with attendance expected to be high given the title implications.
For global viewers, the game will be broadcast via OneFootball’s streaming platform, which holds rights to selected Scottish Premiership matches internationally. Fans can access the live stream through the OneFootball app or website, with coverage beginning approximately 30 minutes before kickoff.
Martin O’Neill, the Northern Irish manager in his second spell at Celtic (having previously managed the club from 2000 to 2005 and returning in an interim role in 2025 before being appointed permanently), enters the match with his side aiming to build momentum after the league split. The 74-year-old former player, who won the European Cup twice with Nottingham Forest and earned 64 caps for Northern Ireland, has emphasized the importance of securing maximum points in the remaining fixtures.
Falkirk, managed by John McGlynn, arrive at Celtic Park knowing they have failed to win any of their four league encounters with the Hoops this season. However, they will look to disrupt Celtic’s rhythm and potentially gain a psychological edge ahead of future meetings.
The victor of this match will take a significant step in the Premiership title race, with every point proving vital in the tightly contested post-split schedule. Celtic’s depth will be tested, but the return of Johnston and Osmand provides O’Neill with additional defensive options as he rotates his squad.
As the Scottish Premiership reaches its business complete, this early post-split fixture sets the tone for both clubs’ campaigns. Celtic seek to defend their title, although Falkirk aim to finish the season strongly despite their historical struggles against the Glasgow giants.
The next confirmed checkpoint for Celtic is their subsequent Premiership fixture, with the full post-split schedule to be released by the Scottish Football Association following this matchday. Fans are encouraged to check official club channels for updates on team selections and any late changes.
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