Celtic 3-0 Gretna

Gretna’s three-game unbeaten run came to an end at Celtic Park this afternoon despite a brave performance against the Champions.

The home side were made to work hard for the three points and had returning keeper Artur Boruc to thank in the first-half before they took control.

Gretna suffered a major setback prior to kick-off with the news that Chris Innes, Craig Barr and Fraser McLaren, who were making their journey from Edinburgh, were stuck in traffic following a fatal accident on the M8 and were unable to make it in time.

But his did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the visitors as they made a confident start to the game.

Kenny Deuchar had a shot deflected behind by Stephen McManus before Boruc made a crucial intervention at the feet of Nicky Deverdics.

Two minutes later, the Celtic keeper showed good reactions to keep out an Allan Jenkins volley from close range after the midfielder latched on to a deep free-kick from Ryan McGuffie.

Gretna continued to threaten and Fabian Yantorno, who scored in the 2-1 defeat at Fir Park in October, came close to another goal against the Hoops when he found space to shoot on the right-side of the box.

Boruc parried his drive up into the air but Jenkins could only head the loose ball over the bar. This would prove to be a decisive moment as Celtic went up the other end and took the lead.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink flicked on the goal-kick to Aiden McGeady, who found Scott McDonald on the edge of the box. The Australian striker then curled a low shot past Tony Caig into the bottom corner off the inside of the post.

Despite conceding, Davie Irons’ side plugged away and Yantorno finished a flowing move with a powerful shot from 15 yards that Boruc did well to push clear.

But Celtic were dangerous going forward and on the stroke of half-time, Derek Riordan saw a shot deflected narrowly behind, with Tony Caig diving the other way.

And four minutes after the break, Scott Brown doubled their lead when he exchanged passes with Massimo Donati 20 yards from goal and arrowed a low shot into the corner.

The visitors were almost handed a lifeline by Boruc when the Polish keeper punched an Evan Horwood free-kick on to the head of Kenny Deuchar, although Gary Caldwell managed to clear from the line.

But Celtic finished strongly and substitute Paul Hartley crashed a header off the underside of the crossbar from a McGeady cross, before Scott McDonald struck the far post with a low shot.

Gretna breathed a sigh of relief, but their luck deserted them in the final minute of the game when a McGeady shot from 20 yards took a deflection off the unfortunate Ryan McGuffie and found the back of the net.

Celtic: Boruc, Caldwell, Balde, McManus, Naylor, McGeady, Donati (Sno 73), S Brown, Riordan (Hartley 64), McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink. Subs not used: M Brown, Killen, Caddis, O’Brien, O’Dea.

Gretna: Caig, Cowan, Horwood, Collin, McGuffie, Jenkins, Deverdics (McGill 69), Yantorno, Skelton, Murray (Makinwa 81), Deuchar. Subs not used: Fleming, Paartalu, Grady, Innes, Barr.

Star Man: Evan Horwood
The Sheffield United defender extended his loan prior to the game and was on top form once again. Unfazed by the big occasion, he was comfortable on the ball and showed good willingness to get forward.

Attendance: 57,171
Referee: David Somers