Scott Bain must be praying that Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli was watching on as Falkirk ended a 19-year wait to beat Celtic. The former Celtic goalkeeper was imperious, unbeatable, as Falkirk ran out 2-0 winners to earn a fourth win on the bounce and reach fourth place in the Scottish Premiership. An absolute brick wall as he earned a third clean sheet in a row.
Not that all the praise should go his way. Everyone in Bairns blue delivered, but Bain was inspired, making save after save to deny Celtic on a day that will go down in Falkirk folklore. One that intensified the pressure on Martin O'Neill's side.
With the Scotland squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures announced this week, surely Bain has enhanced his chances of pushing for not just a place in the squad but potentially the chance to stake a claim for a starting role. Listen: Derby delight for Hibs, fresh questions for Celtic Are Celtic club in regression amid run of six defeats in 10? Impressive Falkirk earn first win over hapless Celtic in 19 years Bain made nine saves against Celtic, with a number of them outstanding, as his side kept a clean sheet for the third game in a row.
That's now a run of 342 minutes without conceding a goal for the Bairns. "Scott Bain was unbelievable," former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner enthused. "Absolutely unbelievable.
"It was a terrific display from Falkirk defensively. They've got a terrific young team." Bain himself explained how he felt as he zoned in on repelling Celtic no matter what they threw at him. "I felt really confident in the game," he said.
"I felt confident in the players and the game plan and I knew that I would be called upon, but it just felt like one of those days where they weren't going to score. "You can't really get a better day as a goalkeeper than thinking that you're not going to be beaten. So, really, really pleased for my own performance, but more so pleased for the team.
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