Partick Thistle 1 Celtic 2
Celtic managed to hold on for the three Bank of Scotland Premier League points at Firhill - despite a spirited display from Partick.
It is probably just as well that their place in the Champions League is all but secure as this was less than inspiring stuff from the Parkhead side ahead of their qualifier against MTK Hungaria in a few days time.
Goals from Paul Lambert and Alan Thompson secured the win for Celtic, despite James Grady's leveller and a battling display from Thistle lasting right up to the final whistle.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill had made much of the fact that he would have to rotate his starting 11 on a regular basis to cope with their heavy fixture schedule after being told no money would be made available to spend on new players.
And - despite last week's thrashing of Dundee United - there were more changes today with the senior midfield duo of Neil Lennon and Lambert back in the starting line-up and first-choice goalkeeper Rob Douglas reclaiming his place between the sticks.
Those changes seemed to be an inspired move by O'Neill when Lambert opened the scoring for the Parkhead side with only eight minutes on the clock.
Stilian Petrov was the provider, supplying a pass from the right wing which Lambert collected 16 yards out and converted into a thunderous shot which goalkeeper Jakup Mikkelsen blocked - but allowed the ball to slip under him and roll across the line.
The home side stunned Celtic after 25 minutes when they drew level through James Grady. Jean-Yves Anis' cross was met by Gerry Britton and he supplied the ball for Grady to slot past Douglas for the equaliser.
The diminutive striker could have grabbed a second goal just two minutes later but Stanislav Varga managed to intercept before Grady could meet Anis' pass and the opportunity was lost.
Celtic's second goal came courtesy of the penalty spot after Ian Ross collided with Petrov at the far post and referee Kenny Clark immediately pointed to the spot. Thompson stepped up for the pressure kick and he left Mikkelsen with no chance when he blasted the ball home from 12 yards.