Last season's top scorer Scott McDonald missed the game with an abductor injury and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink was stretchered off to be replaced by the returning Shaun Maloney in the first half after a bruising challenge by Bairns defender Lee Bullen.

Maloney, signed yesterday after an 18-month spell at Aston Villa, eased the Hoops fans' worries for the afternoon at least.

He immediately won the free-kick from which Stephen McManus' 31st minute opener arrived and then he set Georgios Samaras up either side of the interval for the Greece international to open his account for the season.

Celtic take on Rangers at Parkhead next Sunday but Strachan refused to concede he might have to go with the attacking pair that finished the game against Falkirk.

He said: "Scott's injury came as a surprise to us because he trained on Friday morning.

"It's an abductor muscle and so he is going to have a look at that but he might be fit for next week. He's a strong lad so we will see how he is.

"Jan has a bad gash at the bottom of his leg, we will have to wait and see if there is any bone or ligament damage. We will find that out tomorrow.

"Whenever you play against Falkirk you are going to get chances and they are going to get chances.

"But an Old Firm game is a different game altogether."

Strachan admitted that the introduction of Maloney to a rousing reception from the Celtic support lifted the game.

"Shaun lifted the crowd when he came on and played very well," the Hoops boss said.

"We couldn't get our instructions about our shape on to the first set of strikers but Shaun listened.

"He got the reception I expected.

"I spoke to people on Friday about some negativity about him coming back and I said to them, 'wait until tomorrow' and I think that was a good idea."

Maloney admits he was relieved by the reception he was given by the fans when he came on just before the half-hour mark with the game evenly-matched.

He said: "When Jan went down Chris Killen and I were sent out to warm up and there was a little bit of nervousness but I couldn't believe the reception.

"It was brilliant and made me feel great. I couldn't have asked for any better.

"I should have scored a couple but to be honest I won't beat myself up about it. I'm just that pleased with the day, I loved it."

Despite winning the man-of-the-match award, Maloney refused to take his inclusion for next week's Old Firm game for granted.

"Obviously when I signed I knew the game was a week away," he said.

"These games are huge and I think everybody in the squad will be vying for a place and I will be no different."

Falkirk manager John Hughes felt let down by referee Iain Brines for allowing McManus' opener to stand when it looked like he had used a hand to knock Shunsuke Nakamura's free-kick over the line.

He said: "I felt we did okay up until the first goal which hurt us.

"I could see it was handball from where I was sitting in the stand.

"At places like this you need big decisions to go for you and that went against us."