BARRING a couple of miracles in the League over the coming weeks, Tommy Burns witnessed the disintegration of another season at Hampden Park yesterday. Celtic once again matched their age old rivals for passion and commitment, but yet again found themselves outdone in the most crucial area placing the ball in the back of the net.

This was a match, like every one that they play against Rangers, which the Celtic manager and his men needed to win. A year ago the achievement of reaching two cup finals and going on to end the long silverware drought appeared to promise much for a club which was also moving back to its Parkhead home after their temporary exile at the scene of yesterday's defeat.

Burns has repeatedly said that Rangers are the benchmark by which his club must measure themselves and the fact that they could not beat the blues in six meetings this season says a great deal about what has in reality been achieved.

In this match they showed all the shortcomings that have hallowed Walter Smith's side to hog the limelight for so long. Long periods of good possession produced little by way of scoring opportunities, while the chances that did come their way were squandered.

Much as it had been three weeks ago, in the league, Rangers had the better of the early exchanges and as the opening half progressed, Paul Gascoigne's skill and vision exposed Celtic's defence.

Tommy Boyd's transition to central defence and Tosh McKinlay's arrival have given Celtic greater options pushing forward, but they leave themselves very vulnerable to the counterattack.

Elsewhere Brian McLaughlin failed to make a serious impact down the left, while Simon Donnelly was on edge on the rare occasions he worked his way into dangerous positions. Pierre Van Hooijdonk had one of his quieter days, but still scored, while his striking partner Andreas Thom didn't really manage to extend an uneasy Rangers defence.

Peter Grant, who did very well alongside Paul McStay in midfield, had the first real chance of the game when he linked up with Thom, but he sent his shot spinning well wide. Thom produced his side's best opportunity of the opening quarter when Boyd played a short free kick to him and the 30 year old sent a powerful drive beyond Andy Goram but over the bar.

With 18 minutes played, however, Rangers gave a warning of how quickly they could turn things on their opposition. Gascoigne played a superb throughball to Ally McCoist and the striker, who has long been a thorn in the side of the Parkhead faithful, became the first of several players to round Gordon Marshall only to fail to score. On that occasion, as in the second half when Dave Robertson looked certain to find the net, Boyd made the vital intervention.

After abundant pressure and a string of corners for Celtic before half time, Rangers made their 44th minute break count with marvellous precision. Gordon Durie moved the ball into Celtic's half, combined with Stuart McCall and Laudrup, before Robertson's shot was pushed wide by Marshall. However, McCoist was on hand to score from the rebound.

By that stage, Rangers might have been down to 10 men after Richard Gough was lucky to get away with a caution for a terrible challenge on McLaughlin, but there were offenders on both sides who might have taken a early bath.

There was little discernable improvement by Celtic after the break, with their wide men failing to deliver an adequate supply to their strikers. They were also taking greater gambles at the back themselves and, in the 69th minute, they were mercilessly punished by Laudrup. Linking up neatly with Durie, he picked up the return on his chest, and lobbed the advancing Marshall.

It should have been the end for Celtic but, to their credit, they maintained their relentless pressure. It paid off nine minutes from time when Jackie McNamara played an early angled glancing header. It set up a desperate finale, but after Simon Donnelly squandered a clear chance when clean through on Goram and then headed over from point blank range, it became apparent that this was not going to be Celtic's day.

The difference in class had told. With none of his four most expensive players even playing international football at the moment, Burns admitted that there was some way to go in terms of quality. But he claimed there was much to be pleased about in his side's performances through this season.

"We've made huge strides this year and we will continue to do so over the coming months," said the man who is expected to make at least three major signings in the coming months. Huge strides are all very well, but they provided little comfort to the green and white hordes in Glasgow last night.