SPL Sunday November 6th 2005

Falkirk 0

Celtic 3

0:1 Maloney 41
0:2 McGeady 42
0:3 Hartson 69

Att: 6,459

MIB: Calum Murray

Celtic: Boruc Telfer Balde McManus Camara Petrov Lennon McGeady Nakamura Maloney Hartson

subs
Pearson for Petrov 73
Virgo for Maloney 83
Wallace for Hartson 83

New Brockville was graced with an excellent Celtic display and the honour of witnessing Hartson's 100th goal in the Hoops.

After the nightmarish performance against Falkirk in the cup, Petrov introduced himself to Latapy early doors. The ex-Orc soon made himself as scarce as a skilled footballer at Ibrox as the Celtic passing game settled into its stride.

Two wonderful first half goals from Maloney and McGeady were justice, given Celtic's dominance. It could have been six or seven, but for youthful poor finishing in front of goal. Mc Geady was revelling in his role and ran the Falkirk defender ragged.

The introduction of Hartson in the second period only made matters worse for a Falkirk team that was openly bickering on the park, as Petrov and Nakamura played as if they weren't there. The big moment came courtesy of a wonderful reflex save from another a Maloney strike. The ball broke for Hartson for a tap in and Celtic's third.

While this was more grist for the mill for the table topping Hoops, it was a landmark achievement for Big John. Despite his detractors' criticisms, you cannot argue with his goal count. May he keep it up after Christmas.