Partick 1 Celtic 2

Last updated : 27 August 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Celtic maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign with a hard-fought win at Partick Thistle.

The game began at a fast pace with no clear-cut chances in the first few minutes.

However, all that changed in the seventh minute when Shaun Maloney latched onto a long throughball and should have done better than see his weak shot saved by Jakup Mikkelsen in the Thistle goal.

Celtic however only had another minute to wait before taking the lead when Stilian Petrov cut the ball back to Paul Lambert 17 yards from goal and his low shot beat Mikkelsen although the keeper should have coped better.

Thistle were showing plenty of effort but were unable to offer any attacking threat. Their first direct attempt on goal came after 20 minutes when John Paul McBride's 25-yard free-kick was deflected for a corner.

Thistle however deservedly equalised on 26 minutes when James Grady connected with Gerard Britton's lay-off to prod home from close range.

The Celtic defence were finding it difficult to cope with Jean-Yves Anis and Britton and their only efforts were a couple of headers which did not really trouble the keeper.

Celtic took the lead on 43 minutes when they were awarded what appeared to be a soft penalty when Andy Ross was adjudged to have pushed Petrov at the far post.

Alan Thompson made no mistake from the spot.

The second half continued in the same pattern as the first with both sides showing great effort but being unable to create any real chances on goal.

In the 58th minute Henrik Larsson took advantage of some hesitancy in the Thistle defence but his shot hit the side-netting.

Thompson had Celtic's next chance with a good 35-yard shot that Mikkelsen was equal to.

Celtic began to dominate the match and Liam Miller on 64 and Petrov on 68 had further chances to seal the win. However, both their attempts went the wrong side of the post.

Thistle tried in vain for an equaliser as Celtic appeared content to play out the remaining moments to secure a welcome if slightly undeserved three points.