SPL Sunday March 28th

Rangers 1

Celtic 2

0:1 Larsson 20
0:2 Thompson 52
1:2 Thompson 82

Att: 49,456

MIB: Kenny Clark

Celtic:
Marshall Varga Balde Kennedy Agathe Lennon Petrov Pearson Thompson Larsson Sutton
subs
Miller for Pearson 77

The Post-Barca Party continued as passport- waving Bhoys and Ghirls descended on Mordor to jeer mercilessly at the enfeebled Orcs. This was a time to kick back, relax and read the Sunday papers, while Celtic carved up the ritual roast in what has recently become yet another meaningless SPL fixture.

Celtic never bothered to get out of second gear against the dismal dregs of an Ibrox regime in serious decline. Such was the measure of Celtic's superiority in this particular match, they could even show a bit of grace and bestow the pedestrian efforts of Eck's Euro-dudds with a consolation goal. Yes, that's right, their first against us this season.

The contrast in styles between Celtic and the Orcs has never been greater. As the the Gibbering hordes in the Govan stand greeted the arrival of their team with frothy mouthed growls, Carl Orff's Carmina Burana - a personal favourite of Hitler's - was piped out over the Tannoy. The response from the Celtic end was as awesome as it was derisory of the Teutonic overtones at Ibrox. Hundreds of beach balls and rubber rings flooded onto the park as the fiesta got into full swing, with passports , ponchos, and papers being flaunted in the faces of the Ibrox disloyal.

When the game eventually got underway it was the bellowing Orcs, all flaring nostrils and bad breath, who were chasing around the park like angry bulls in Pamplona. Before long they were speared. Larsson, Celtic's resident matador, was left unmarked at a free kick (again-yawn) and headed cleanly past a bewildered Klot.

Celtic still hadn't got out of second gear as the Cloven Hooves crashed about the park and threatened the Celtic goal. Like a pooh in pool, the Orcs wanted to spoil the party, but couldn't get past Marshall. His save following a deflection off Varga, was utterly unbelievable. He made a reflex stop, low down at his near post, with virtually no sight of the ball. This was world-class and one of the best stops I have ever witnessed. Within minutes he had made another remarkable save after Hutton had headed off the ground from 6 yards. This out of the way , Marshall went back into the phone box took off his cape and put his underpants back beneath his trousers. The Sieve relaxed and Celtic cantered towards the interval, even taking time to enjoy a miss from Lovenkrands, who managed to hit the side netting from 5 yards with the goal gaping.

The second period saw Celtic dictate the pace again with Thommo celebrating a long overdue call up to the England squad with a goal. Pearson and Sutton could have made it three and four, but for a great stop from a shell shocked Klot and the intervention of the bar.

As the game finished, Thursday's exertions took their toll and resulted in some tiredness that led to the slack defending from which the Orcs grabbed a consolation goal.

It was to no avail. Celtic were too strong, powerful and skilful for the ragged remnants of last year's spawny SPL champions. 19 points clear, we can win the league next week if the Orcs slip up. I wonder when the hacks will ever mention Indian signs, Eck and OFM in the same sentence again. Enjoy it while it lasts folks