Celtic kick off defence of SPL title

Celtic 0, Dunfermline 0 (latest)

The Scottish Premier League kicked off the 2002/03 season today with champions Celtic playing host to Dunfermline.

Celtic were greeted by rapturous applause from the 60,000 capacity crowd before plc chairman Brian Quinn made a short speech, congratulating the champs for their achievements the season before.

Then, in keeping with Scottish football tradition, the crowd watched as the league championship flag was unfurled to signal the beginning of Celtic’s defence of their title.

It was an intimidating atmosphere to say the least for visitors Dunfermline, who took to the park in their new all-tangerine away kit.

Celtic attacked the Pars’ goal within three minutes of the kick off, when Larsson cheekily back-heeled the ball to Momo Sylla but his pass to Stilian Petrov was intercepted by the Dunfermline defence.

Seconds later, Larsson was playing the provider role again when he played the ball to Chris Sutton but, despite being just outside the six-yard box, the former Chelsea striker stabbed the ball just past the post.

Three minutes later, Larsson met a header from Bobo Balde but his shot was parried by Pars goalkeeper Marco Ruitenbeek. The ball fell back into the path of the Hoops striker but he sent the rebound over the crossbar.

With more than 10 minutes gone, Dunfermline had yet to muster their first attack on the Celtic goal.

But they had the opportunity to put Douglas under pressure when referee Hugh Dallas handed them a free-kick just behind the corner of the 18-yard box only for the chance to be wasted when Barry Nicholson sent the set-piece harmlessly out of play after 13 minutes.

Celtic were still looking the stronger and Sutton tried to flick the ball onto Sylla after 18 minutes but the former St Johnstone player just failed to connect at the back post.