Larsson keeps Rangers in reach

Celtic 1 Dunfermline Athletic

Henrik Larsson's 29th goal of the season kept Celtic hot on the trail of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

The prolific striker kept up his goal-a-game record yesterday at Parkhead to prise a victory out against a stubborn Dunfermline side who had come to Parkhead to frustrate the champions in the penultimate game before the Scottish Premier League winter break.

The gap between the Old Firm pair remains at just one point, but Celtic had to endure a nervous time in the latter stages before securing their reward. Indeed, had Lee Bullen taken advantage of a sublime pass from Steve Crawford in the 74th minute, then the men from Fife might have dented Celtic's ambitions. The striker had only Magnus Hedman to beat but fired his shot wide of target.

However, at Parkhead it is what the other Swede does which makes the news. Larsson is on course to emulate his 53 goal tally two seasons ago, which won him the Golden Boot as Europe's top scorer.

It took him just 18 minutes to find the net here. Celtic used the long ball route, with John Hartson flicking on a giant kick-out from Hedman. Chris Sutton then added his touch to play in Larsson who got in between Andrius Skerla and the goalkeeper Derek Stillie. The outcome was a trademark finish from Larsson who squeezed an angled volley between the pair.

Celtic fans must have thought that another thrilling encounter laced with goals, such as the one that took place here on Boxing Day against Hearts, was about to unfold.

How wrong they were. Celtic created few chances in the remainder of the first half and the most pressure Stillie was put under was when Hartson followed up a deft flick with a half volley which the goalkeeper read perfectly.

Five minutes before the interval, the Pars threatened to equalise. Scott Thomson played a shrewd low cross into the box and the Scotland striker Crawford met it with a glancing shot that just slipped wide of Hedman's far post.

Celtic tried to secure the comfort zone of a second goal after the interval but the closest they came was when the pace of Didier Agathe opened up the visiting side in the 71st minute, but his cut back was scrambled clear for a corner from which Hartson's header was saved by Stillie.

Three minutes later came the let off when Bullen failed to punish the lack of concentration from Bobo Baldé. Having survived, Celtic now head into the New Year with Rangers clearly in their sights.

Celtic (3-5-2): Hedman; Mjallby, Baldé, Valgaeren; Agathe, Lambert, Sutton, Petrov (Guppy, 61), Thompson; Hartson (McNamara, 75), Larsson. Substitutes not used: Gould (gk), Maloney, Crainey.

Dunfermline Athletic (3-5-2-): Stillie; Skerla, Wilson, Walker (Dair, 76); Thomson, Nicholson, Crawford, Mason (Dempsey, 53), McGroarty; Bullen, Brewster (Hampshire, 83). Substitutes not used: Ruitenbeek (gk), Karnebeek.

Referee: S Dougal.

Bookings: Dunfermline Athletic: Skerla, Mason, Walker.

Man of the match: Lambert.

Attendance: 58,387.