SPL Saturday November 17th

Hearts 0

Celtic 1

0:1 Larsson 44 (pen)

Att: 15,570

MIB: Mike McCurry

Celtic: Douglas; Mjallby, Balde, Crainey; Agathe (Thompson 45), Lennon, Lambert, Petrov, Petta; Sutton, Larsson

Celtic's SPL leviathan moved on to create another record, winning 10 matches in a row, dispatching Swynecastle's Gorgie Ghouls in the process.

Never a pretty match, but what do you expect when you are playing what looks like 11 baboon rear ends in maroon jerseys? The players' minds were obviously on Valencia, but they managed to grind out another three points.

This was a game won at a high price though, after Webster scythed down Agathe with a tackle straight from the Souness "high boot into the back knee" school. This was the sort of challenge that made a pariah of Neil Simpson after his incident with Jug ears Durrant and this time it only merited a yellow card!

Celtic got a penalty which Larsson duly converted to get the points, but Agathe was subbed with a serious knee injury that means he will miss Spain.

Celtic played this game at half speed and didn't really create another chance. Only the industry of Lennon and Lambert and the acrobatics of Douglas kept the score as it was. Ricardo Fuller was repeatedly making a clown of Balde and amazingly didn't manage to put one in the pokey, though he had the opportunities. Perhaps that's why he is playing for the Farts, though if he looks to have the ability to play at a higher level.

On the plus side, Crainey playing in the absence of Valgaeren, performed well and merits a start in Spain if Joos doesn't make it.