Celtic's midfield comes under scrutiny after Falkirk defeat

Daily Record's Hotline Live panel questions whether another managerial change would fix the squad's deeper imbalances.

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Daily Record Story of November 2, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? The video opened at a pace of 44,700 views a day, 14 times a normal first day on this channel (3,306).

Hotline Live | Live from Falkirk Stadium following Celtic’s Prem clash | Hearts and Hibs reaction

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1:28Jackson argues Celtic's midfield lacks balance compared with Falkirk's well-organised side.
9:38Gannon joins from outside Falkirk Stadium, crediting the home side's clinical performance.
14:49The panel examines starting Oxlade-Chamberlain alongside McGregor and Celtic's other selection decisions.
24:00Jackson questions whether changing managers would solve Celtic's squad deficiencies.
27:10Hibs' derby victory gets a review, with Jackson praising Joe Newell's contribution.
36:06Jackson argues that inconsistent VAR decisions are the central problem in the handball controversy.

"I think Falkirk deserved to win that game," Keith Jackson says, before turning to a problem he sees beyond Celtic's latest defeat: a midfield without the balance to make the team work.

That diagnosis anchors an unusually well-watched edition of Daily Record's Hotline Live. The post-match discussion drew more than 20,000 views in seven hours, already well beyond the channel's usual first-day audience for regular videos.

Host Daniel Caw and Jackson are joined by Michael Gannon outside Falkirk Stadium following Celtic's defeat by John McGlynn's side. This is analysis rather than match highlights, with the panel picking apart passing errors, selection changes and the contrast between Celtic's disjointed play and Falkirk's organisation.

Jackson questions the midfield structure, while Gannon examines the decision to start Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain alongside Callum McGregor. Their discussion puts Martin O'Neill's choices under scrutiny without treating the manager as the whole explanation. Later, Jackson argues that short-term fixes and another change in the dugout would not necessarily resolve the squad's deficiencies.

The artificial surface and Scott Bain's saves also become talking points in the comments, with viewers debating how demanding Celtic's attempts on goal actually were.

The programme then widens to the cup semi-finals. Jackson credits Hibs with deserving their Edinburgh derby victory, before assessing Rangers' win over Aberdeen. It finishes with refereeing decisions and his objection to inconsistent VAR calls, rather than a demand that every disputed handball should become a penalty.