Gretna 0-3 Celtic

Gretna succumbed to a third consecutive 3-0 defeat as Celtic overcame their brave resistance at Almondvale.

The Black and Whites defended stoutly against the Champions but Scott McDonald, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras were on target to ensure they remain on the heels of leaders Rangers. 

With the beleaguered Fir Park pitch currently undergoing improvements, the match was switched to Livingston where Greg Fleming, Gavin Skelton and Paul Murray were welcomed back into the makeshift side.

They frustrated Celtic in the opening stages, denying the visitors time and space to find their rhythm and it was not until midway through the half that they began to stamp their authority on the game.

Skipper Paul Murray typified Gretna’s resilience with a cringing block from a powerful Scott Brown shot, before returning to his feet to clear the follow-up header by the same player off the line.

Greg Fleming then produced a wonderful save to prevent Aiden McGeady’s 20 yarder from finding the top corner.

Gretna grew in confidence though and in a rare foray forward, Ben Wilkinson made great strides into the box and picked out Brendan McGill, but the Irish winger was let down by his touch and Stephen McManus snuffed out the danger.

Inspired by the increasing restlessness amongst their large travelling support, Celtic went on the attack once again and Barry Robson tested Fleming with a well-struck shot from 25 yards that the keeper parried clear.

But for all their efforts, Gretna were undone by a simple move three minutes before the break. Artur Boruc’s lengthy kick up field was flicked on by Vennegoor of Hesselink into the path of McDonald, who volleyed into the bottom corner from close range.

And Vennegoor of Hesselink could have added a second on the stroke of half-time himself but his glancing header from Nakamura’s free-kick went narrowly wide.

The Black and Whites were more adventurous after the interval and pressed for an equaliser. McGill went close with a low shot from the edge of the box after a great break by Ryan Baldacchino but the best chance fell to Nicky Deverdics.

McGill was the architect this time, beating Lee Naylor and delivering an inviting cross along the six-yard line. Any meaningful connection from Deverdics would have brought a goal but the midfielder hit fresh air and the ball was cleared to safety.

Celtic responded and McDonald drew another good save from Fleming after combining with his strike partner Vennegoor of Hesselink once again.

Gordon Strachan then introduced Georgios Samaras and he nearly made an immediate impact, dragging a shot inches wide of the far post from inside the box.

Gretna made a change of their own, moving Kyle Naughton into attack while Craig Barr came in at right-back.

Unfortunately however, it backfired as McGeady was given more freedom and promptly delivered a cross which Vennegoor of Hesselink headed home from 6 yards.

It was a crushing blow for Gretna, having just enjoyed their best spell of the game and two minutes from time Celtic added a third.

Another cross from the left by McGeady was flicked goalwards by substitute Samaras and the ball struck the underside of the crossbar on it’s way into the net.

Gretna: Fleming, Naughton, Skelton, Hall, Meynell, McGill (Griffiths 82), Baldacchino, Osman, Murray, Deverdics (Barr 66), Wilkinson (Makinwa 73). Subs not used: Krysiak, Hogg, Shultz-Eklund, Taylor.

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Naylor, Caldwell, McManus, S Brown (Hartley 73), Robson (Sno 80), Nakamura, McGeady, Vennegoor of Hesselink, McDonald (Samaras 63). Subs not used: M Brown, Riordan, O’Dea, Killen.

Star Man: Kyle Naughton
The Sheffield United youngster enjoyed the best game of his loan spell so far. He was given the unenviable task of thwarting Aiden McGeady but stuck to it well and gave the Irish winger little peace. He was comfortable in possession and showed a good willingness to get forward, joining the attack at every opportunity.

Attendance: 3,561
Referee: Craig Thomson