Falkirk 0 Celtic 1: A Scott McDonald goal deep in to first-half injury time against Falkirk at the Falkirk Stadium reduced the gap between Celtic and leaders Rangers back to four points.
The champions went in to the game knowing the Ibrox side's win over St Mirren on Saturday had piled the pressure on but apart from the result, Celtic manager Gordon Strachan will not have been happy with his side's response.
The Bairns had dictated the opening 45 minutes but in the third minute added on for treatment to defender Dean Holden, who was stretchered off with a suspected broken leg following a challenge by Hoops skipper Stephen McManus, the Australian international nodded home a cross by Shunsuke Nakamura.
Falkirk had the better of the second half as well but the Parkhead side held on for three crucial points to keep them on the heels of their old rivals but it was a nervous afternoon for the visiting fans.