Celtic maintain 100% start

Partick 0, Celtic 1 (full-time)

Neil Lennon might have been stopped from playing for his country - but the stubborn Scottish Premier League new boys could not prevent Celtic maintaining their 100% start to the season.

The midfielder all but announced his retirement from international football after receiving a death threat hours before he was due to captain Northern Ireland against Cyprus.

But his traumatic week ended in joy as the champions ground out the three points as Henrik Larsson finally broke the resistance of John Lambie’s hard-working side in the second half.

It was also a great way to shape up for the midweek trip to Switzerland in which Celtic will be looking to secure their place in the Champions League group stage for the second year.

But the day belonged to Lennon and his family after finally putting the sorry chapter behind him to concentrate on his club.

The Parkhead star was given a heart-warming welcome by both sets of fans in the warm-up, but his early first touch was greeted by a chorus of jeers which was only to be expected.

But after the events of the past few days that did not caused the former Leicester too much of a problem.

The Partick supporters were clearly fired up and the players responded to that early on with some tough challenges.

But it was the champions who looked most likely to create something and they almost took the lead in the eighth minute after a lapse of concentration from former Celt Derek Whyte.

He misjudged the ball which allowed Henrik Larsson to nip and he fired just wide at the second attempt after his first effort had broke kindly to him in the area.

But the home fans were off their feet in the 10th minute when Jamie Mitchell went down in the box under the challenge of Douglas, but Mike McCurry did not agree with their opinions.

Moments later and the Celtic defence looked asleep as Martin Hardie found himself in acres of room in the box, but he was unable to keep his chip down to worry the keeper.

But both teams continued to play attractive passing football, although the final ball let the approach play down.

Celtic striker Chris Sutton was claiming a penalty in the 26th minute when he went down under the challenge of Stephen Craigan, but the referee again waved away the protests.

Partick industrious display was so far frustrating the visitors, but it seemed only a matter of time before it would last.

A desperate block from the impressive Scott Paterson in the area from Jackie McNamara’s right-foot strike stopped goalkeeper Kenny Arthur from having to make a save.

Thistle were let off the hook again on the half hour when Larsson squared the ball into the path of Paul Lambert just outside the box, but he dragged his right-foot effort wide of the mark.

Celtic carved out a good chance in the 38th minute when Larsson got on the end of Steve Guppy’s cross, but Arthur made a great save to deny from point-blank range.

The Swede was getting closer and two minutes later he was again wondering how he failed to score as McNamara threaded the ball through to him, but despite side-footing the ball under the onrushing Arthur the ball ended up in the side-netting.

Just five minutes after the break Sutton squandered a glorious chance. Larsson flicked on Ulrik Laursen’s ball into the path of the English striker, but with Arthur committed, his first touch around him was too heavy and the ran out of play.

But Celtic continued to probe and it seemed only a matter of time before they broke the deadlock.

The home side were carved open again in the 58th minute, but the outcome was the same as Agathe again got away from Alan Archibald and crossed for Sutton to volley just over the bar.

With Thistle posing little in the way of attacking threat, O’Neill decided to take off Lennon in the 64th minute and introduce an extra striker in John Hartson.

But O’Neill’s bold move almost backfired in the 68th minute when Mitchell got on the end of Jamie Buchan’s cross, but headed wide from eight yards with just Douglas to beat.

However, the Northern Irishman’s change of tactics had the desired effect in the 71st minute when Celtic netted the only goal of the game.

Sutton picked out Hartson in the box and the Welshman lobbed the ball to the far post for Larsson to head home from close range.

But Partick rallied and went close with eight minutes remaining when Archibald’s shot took a deflection and spun just past the post to the relief of Douglas and the Celtic support.

The home side finished strongly, but they were not to ruin the day for Celtic and Lennon, who may now feel the events of the past week and firmly behind him.