Celtic manager Martin O'Neill hopes to build on the weekend win over Dundee United.

"It was a great boost of confidence because the players played very well," he tells BBC Scotland.

"But that's consigned to history, it's gone now. Tonight is a difficult task. Falkirk are on a really good run, they have a lot of energy about the team and their manager has done brilliantly.

"It's a major test for us."

The Celtic manager says they had to recall Stephen Welsh from Motherwell by a certain date and they will monitor the defender's situation after training this week.

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A visit to Falkirk Stadium will bring back happy memories for Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

The 39-year-old was in goal for the Bairns, on loan from Manchester City, the last time they beat Celtic, 1-0 at home in March 2007, saving a Craig Beattie penalty.

This time the Dane is in the opposition ranks having faced increased criticism for his recent performances and with his equally famous dad, Peter, having been spotted at Celtic training this week, maybe lending his support and advice.

In the Falkirk goalie jersey this time is his former understudy at Celtic Park, Scott Bain, whose fine form led to him signing a contract extension last week.

Will tonight be a tale of two goalkeepers?

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Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland

John McGlynn insists he is happy helping Falkirk exceed expectations on their return to Scotland's top flight but admits "it would be interesting" if one day he was asked to manage a club with more money to spend on players.

The 64-year-old has led the Bairns to successive promotions as league champions, being named PFA Scotland manager of the year for both.

But he revealed "no-one's ever talked to me" about taking over at another club during his time with the side sitting sixth in the Premiership.

Asked if he had ambitions to manage a bigger club, McGlynn told BBC Scotland: "It would be interesting. I've never really had any money.

Read interview in full.

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Speaking yesterday, Martin O'Neill was not making the fact that he missed the start of the transfer window while Wilfried Nancy was in charge for the lack of Celtic signings so far during January.

He has recalled Stephen Welsh from his loan to Motherwell as cover, but the centre-half is not involved tonight and the interim manager insists that he is "making progress".

Meanwhile, Celtic have been linked with a number of players around the world.

Read the latest gossip.

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Killian Phillips' shoulder injury was not as bad as first feared and the midfielder makes the starting XI this evening alongside Alex Gogic, who returns from suspension.

Goalkeeper Shamal George is another who passes a fitness test after being replaced at the weekend, meaning there are just three changes from the side that were beaten 2-0 by Falkirk.

Striker Dan Nlundulu drops to the bench, with midfielder Roland Idowu coming into the side.

Fraser Taylor also drops to the bench, with Oisin Smyth - freshly recalled from Partick Thistle - coming into midfield for a first league start this season.

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Attacking midfielder Louie Marsh goes straight into the Falkirk squad after joining on loan from Sheffield United.

Kyrell Wilson for Henry Cartwright in midfield is the only change to the XI from Falkirk's win at St Mirren last time.

The build-up has started on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound, with pundits Tony Docherty and John Collins joining host Kenny Macintyre

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Falkirk: Bain, Lissah, Allan, Henderson, McCann, Spencer, Yeats, Tait, Miller, Wilson, Stewart.

Substitutes: Hogarth, Adams, Williams, Ross, Parkinson, Cartwright, Donaldson, Graham, Marsh.

Celtic: Schmeichel, Araujo, Trusty, Scales, Tierney, McGregor, Nygren, Engels, Yang, Tounekti, Maeda.

Substitutes: Sinisalo, McCowan, Kenny, Bernardo, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Donovan, Ralston.

Here's another chance to see that Craig Gordon save that denied Dundee a draw at the weekend.

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon makes his first league start of the season in place of the suspended Alexander Schwolow.

He's one of four changes, with Harry Milne back in at left-back. There were fears that the defender's injury was serious, but they have now been quashed.

Blair Spittal makes a rare start - his first since November - in midfield, replacing Tomas Magnusson, while Michael Steinwender comes in at right-back for Jordi Altena.

Steinwender is suspended for the Scottish Cup clash with Falkirk at the weekend, so perhaps no surprise he's in from the start tonight.

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Benjamin Nygren for Reo Hatate in midfield is the only change for Celtic from the 4-0 win over Dundee United.

There is no place in the matchday squad for centre-back Stephen Welsh after he was recalled from his loan at Motherwell.

Heart of Midlothian: Gordon, Steinwender, Halkett, Findlay, Milne, Baningime, Devlin, Kyziridis, Spittal, Braga, Shankland.

Substitutes: Fulton, Kent, McCart, Kabangu, Kabore, Magnusson, Altena, Kerjota, Chesnokov.

St Mirren: George, Fraser, King, Freckleton, McMenamin, Phillips, Smyth, Gogic, John, Idowu, Mandron.

Substitutes: Mullen, Richardson, Sobowale, Tanser, Campbell, Taylor, Dijksteel, Mooney, Nlundulu.

We'll get straight to the team news, although we are still waiting for Falkirk's line-up...

Hearts start the night three points clear of Rangers, who have played a game more, and six ahead of Celtic.

But the reigning champions have managerial legend Martin O'Neill back in charge after a dismal time under the now sacked Wilfried Nancy.

Rangers have revived their own challenge since Danny Rohl took over from Russell Martin, but tonight is all about their two title rivals.

It's another big night in what is the most intriguing Scottish title race in many a year.

Surprise leaders Heart of Midlothian and third-placed reigning champions Celtic are both in action, against St Mirren and Falkirk respectively.

Stay with us for the build-up, live commentary and post-match reaction on BBC Radio Scotland and here online.

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