Football: Grant hits the target

(First Edition)

Partick Thistle. . .2

Celtic . . . . . . .3

CELTIC took the points after an entertaining Glasgow derby which saw both sides applauded from the field. The visitors had looked like exacting revenge on their neighbours, who won 2-1 at Parkhead earlier in the season, when they scored twice in the first half-hour.

Andy Payton, whose last goal was against Thistle in September, opened the scoring in the 14th minute. The persistent Stuart Slater seized on a mistake by Davie Irons and cut the ball back for Payton to shoot low past Craig Nelson.

Thistle nearly fell further behindwhen Slater and Payton both went close, but Peter Grant, with his second goal of the season, put Celtic

2-0 ahead in the 28th minute with a superb 20-yard volley

But the home side then realised that Celtic were also prone to defensive frailties. A few seconds after a deflected Ian Cameron shot had flown narrowly over, Ray Farningham took a high ball on his chest, walked through the centre of a makeshift Celtic defence, and shot past Pat Bonner.

Thistle enjoyed their best spell after the break when Bonner made two fine saves from his former team-mate Gerry Britton.

Celtic only regained the initiative when Gerry Creaney scored within two minutes of coming on as substitute for the ineffectual Charlie Nicholas. Thistle continued to attack, and nine minutes later Farningham notched his second goal with a six-yard volley.

Partick Thistle: C Nelson; R Law, D McVicar, R Farningham, W Jamieson, I Cameron, G Shaw (S Johnston, 80), A Craig, G Britton, D Irons, P Kinnaird. Sub not used: P McLaughlin. Manager: J Lambie.

Celtic: P Bonner; M McNally, T Boyd, P Grant, B O'Neil, R Vata, S Slater, P McStay, A Payton, C Nicholas (G Creaney, 66), J Collins. Sub not used: B Smith. Manager: L Brady.

Referee: W Crombie (Edinburgh).

Goals: Payton (0-1, 14 min); Grant (0-2, 28 min); Farningham (1-2, 37 min); Creaney (1-3, 68 min); Farningham (2-3, 77 min).