This was it. After all the build-up, all the mud-slinging and the arguments – it was time for the Glasgow derby to take centre stage.
And it was Celtic who took the points from our oldest city rivals on this occasion on what was a day of controversy from the wildcard in black.
The hoops started this one sluggishly if truth be told. Charlie Mulgrew managed to blag another week in a Celtic jersey and was duly beaten twice by Chris Doolan before Gordon stopped smartly.
The ref actually kept quite a good hold on the first half overall but perhaps there was a word in his ear at half-time. More to follow.
Mackay-Steven, yet again, set up Griffiths with a magnificent cross from a tricky position which the prolific hitman excellently controlled and slotted past Cerny.
Thistle were more than a match for Celtic in the first half and may have felt aggrieved to have gone in a goal down. A few long-range efforts gave Gordon something to think about with Commons and McGregor each selecting the wrong pass on a break-away.
Second-half was more of an improvement. GMS showed great skill and composure in the middle of the park to slip through McGregor who finished brilliantly. Game over you would have thought.
Pressure was continually kept up before the Jags defence were given some respite in the form of Colin Kazim-Richards. Two scuffed efforts were the sum total of his meagre contribution. (It was his best game so far).
Thistle were handed a life-line when Sviatchenko was penalised for desecrating the Thistle jersey with his dirty fingernail. Only a Ronny team would be able to turn this performance into a nervy last few minutes.
Celtic, however, were able to comfortably see this one out in what was a very positive performance overall with only Brown and Commons being out of sorts.
Big city derby bragging rights belong to Celtic though.
Sting
ntvcelticfanzine.com 