Robbie Keane bagged two goals and all three points for Celtic as Tony Mowbray’s men won 2-0 at Falkirk Stadium. The Republic of Ireland international netted in either half with clinical finishes on both occasions.

It was essential Celtic picked up all three points and continue to do so if they are to keep up with Rangers at the top of the SPL and Mowbray will be relieved with the result after coming under criticism for his attacking play.

Celtic keeper Artur Boruc was forced to pull off several athletic saves to foil Falkirk’s attacks while at the other end Keane showed why he is the top earner in the Premier League.

The Bairns’ keeper Robert Olejnik had stopped the on-loan striker twice earlier, but the goalie was helpless when faced with Keane for the third time when the Irishman drilled the ball into the net from 16 yards after being played through by Morten Rasmussen in the 34th minute.

Falkirk played well and took the game to Celtic with Darren O’Dea having his work cut out for him, but the home side failed to hit the net and it was Keane who doubled his tally after slipping it through the legs of Olejnik after being played through by a Crosas free-kick.

Steven Pressley will look back at the game wondering how his team never managed to score after so many chances in front of goal.

Falkirk fought back from being 1-0 down when Boruc had to claw away Ryan Flynn's close-range effort to prevent an equaliser, before Showunmi missed a sitter seconds before the interval when he mis-hit his shot with only Boruc to beat.

Showunmi missed another decent chance when he headed Barr's cross over the crossbar from six yards out and then, in the 72nd minute, the Scotland defender set up Lima who drove over from 14 yards. Boruc then produced a fine save at his right-hand post from Arfield's 20-yard volley after the Falkirk midfielder had been set up by Showunmi.

A questionable performance from Celtic but the priority for the club is to secure three points which they made sure of thanks to Keane.