After Celtic’s chaotic Champions League play-off exit to LASK, a banner at Parkhead branded the club a “World Class Embarrassment.” Even so, the overall tone on Saturday was more encouraging than angry—something that caught O’Neill off guard.
Celtic secured a vital, if unspectacular, win over Falkirk thanks to a Camilo Duran brace. A late own goal by Colby Donovan set up a tense final spell, but the hosts held on.
“As we stepped off the bus, the supporters cheered us,” O’Neill said. “It was unexpected and probably more than we deserved, but I was delighted.”
Luke McCowan—criticized heavily online for his display in Linz—was greeted with applause when he came on as a substitute.
“I thought the fans were excellent today,” former captain Scott Brown told BBC Scotland. “I loved the reception for McCowan. That’s what real supporters do—show up and back the team, not hide behind keyboards.
“It’s out of order. Luke felt he had to delete his social media, and he shouldn’t have to. Football has highs and lows. He’ll be hurting, but it takes strength to respond, and he did well when he came on. He’s a massive Celtic fan and always wants to give everything for the club.”