Three Points Dropped!

The Bhoys Stumble Against Caley Thistle

By Tony Quinn

An Aiden McGeady hat-trick helped sink Falkirk 4-0. Scott McDonald netted an early penalty at a sparsely-populated Celtic Park and McGeady struck against the run of play just before the break. Falkirk's comeback hopes were punctured when Darren Barr was sent off in the 63rd minute and McGeady soon killed them off with two clinical finishes.

Inverness came from two goals down and then survived the sending-off of David Proctor to beat Celtic 3-2. Two first-half goals in two minutes from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink put the Hoops in control, but John Rankin set up a great second half by scoring a penalty not long before the break following Steven Pressley's foul on Marius Niculae. A header from David Proctor brought Caley level and then Don Cowie's goal put the home side into the lead and the Highlanders held on to that hard-earned advantage despite Proctor's 68th-minute dismissal for hauling down Scott McDonald when the Australian was clean through on goal.

After the game Gordon Strachan was stunned. He said: "I am in a state of shock and I thought it was the most bizarre game of football. After 40 minutes I was asking myself 'are you sure we are at Inverness?' because normally it is like a cup tie here and we were 2-0 up, while it could have been three or four. Then they got a penalty and whether it should have been given or not, I am not sure."

Celtic may be close to signing Andreas Hinkel from Sevilla in the transfer window. Hinkel has expressed his intention to leave the reigning Uefa and Copa del Rey champions and as a left back, he fills a real need for Gordon Strachan. Since Lee Naylor's serious injury, Paul Hartley, centre back Darren O'Dea and young Ryan Conroy have all filled in, in Celtic's problem position. Wolfsburg, who are led by Hinkel's former boss at Stuttgart, Felix Magath, are also courting the full back, but Celtic's place in the Champions League last 16 is likely to prove a real lure. Chief Executive Peter Lawwell admitted there are likely to be more arrivals next month. "We have targets and will try to strengthen the squad further in January," Lawwell said. "We've had a plan in place for a while but getting to the Champions League last 16 gives us a bit of flexibility."

Sunderland boss Roy Keane is said to be chasing his ex-Celtic teammate Bobo Balde. Keane is confident Balde can make an instant impact on Wearside, where he admits any new signing will not be afforded time to adjust to life in the EPL.

Henrik Larsson is being linked with a return to Celtic. (Pinch of salt anyone?). The Swedish legend is yet to decide whether to carry on for another season at Helsingborg and Scotland on Sunday says it has been whispered that he could be enticed by a four-and-a-half month Celtic stay from January. It would spare him a dreaded Swedish pre-season across the bitter winter and allow him three more tastes of the Old Firm derby he lived for in seven years at the club, as well as a first sampling of a last 16 in the Champions League for the club.

Evander Sno may request a January exit if he cannot force his way into the starting line-up at Celtic. The Holland Under-21 international has started just three games this season. "You never know in January, if other clubs come in and are interested, and I'm not getting any games here then...," said Sno. "I don't want to leave this club because I love it here but to get games and to keep developing myself, then maybe, I'll see." Sno has made 10 appearances as a sub this season but admits it is difficult to make a significant contribution from the bench. "You start to come into the game, then the whistle blows and the game is over," the former Feyenoord player said. "It is frustrating."

Crystal Palace are said to be leading the £1million race for the unsettled Derek Riordan. The striker is fed up being on the fringes of the Hoops and is looking to move in the New Year after a year-and-a-half of frustration. Burnley are also in the hunt, but will not match Celtic's price or trade for Kyle Lafferty either.