Partick Thistle...0 Celtic...2Chris Sutton responded to being restored to his attacking role for Celtic with the two goals yesterday that kept the champions hard on the heels of the Premier League leaders Rangers.
The Englishman has recently been used by Celtic's manager Martin O'Neill in a midfield role while John Hartson has joined Henrik Larsson up front.
But Hartson missed this match through injury so the former Blackburn striker moved forward once again and took his opportunity, and his goals, with typical aplomb.
Sutton opened the scoring to settle Celtic after seven minutes when he pounced after a Jackie McNamara shot had been half-blocked and then added the second when he took advantage of a poor David Lilley clearance 12 minutes before the break.
He should, in fact, have scored at least a hat-trick, although two goals turned out to be more than enough to dismiss Partick Thistle's feeble challenge.
Indeed, Celtic, as they did in midweek against Dundee United, decided early on that their two-goal lead was adequate and, as a result, for nearly an hour this contest was virtually meaningless.
"The early goals settled us and with Rangers beating Aberdeen (2-1) on Saturday the most important thing was simply to win the game," said Sutton.
"Rangers don't look like dropping points so it is imperative we make sure we don't do anything silly and slip up. That way the two remaining Old Firm matches in the league should be crucial."
As for being back up front, he added: "I enjoyed it, but when you see John Hartson scoring as many as he has been you're just grateful to be in the team so I'm happy enough in the middle of the park."
This game went ahead despite intermittent snow storms and the principal objective for all concerned was simply to avoid pneumonia.
Michael Mols grabbed both of Rangers' goals at Ibrox.
Guardian Service
PARTICK: Arthur, Lilley, Archibald, McGowne, Craigan, Paterson (Walker 70), Rowson, Milne (Buchan 78), Hardie (Gibson 82), Britton, Burns. Subs Not Used: Budinauckas, Waddell. Booked: Archibald.
CELTIC: Hedman, Valgaeren, Balde, Laursen, Agathe, McNamara, Lennon (Healy 87), Petrov, Smith, Larsson, Sutton. Subs Not Used: Broto, Guppy, Maloney, Crainey. Booked: Petrov. Goals: Sutton 7, 33.
Referee: K Clark (Scotland).
