Bhoys overcome Gers - again

Hot on the heels of their Uefa Cup triumph over Barcelona, goals from Henrik Larsson and Alan Thompson handed Martin O'Neill's men their fourth victory over The Gers this term to take them an incredible 19 points clear at the top of the SPL.

After the inevitably frenetic start the visitors assumed control and hit the front on twenty minutes.

Alan Thompson - who celebrated his England call-up with a fine display - swung in a free-kick from the left and Larsson outjumped Michael Ball - who got caught under the ball - to head home emphatically from six yards.

Midweek hero goalkeeper David Marshall carried on from where he left off in Camp Nou with a stunning double save just past the half hour mark.

First he reacted superbly to turn the ball on to the post after Stanislav Varga had sliced Michael Ball's pacy low cross towards his own net, and then dived away to his left to paw away Alan Hutton's bouncing header.

The Gers almost restored parity two minutes before the interval; Ronald de Boer and Michael Mols combined well to feed Peter Lovekrands, but with a clear sight of goal just eight yards out the Dane blasted into the side netting.

The game was effectively decided in a two-minute spell just after half-time, Hutton cut in off the right flank and saw his left-footed effort from the edge of the box fly narrowly wide after deflecting off Neil Lennon.

But moments later Celtic moved further ahead - Larsson took advantage of some hesitant defending to play in Stephen Pearson and, after Stefan Klos saved well, Thompson nipped in to slot home right-footed via a slight deflection.

The Bhoys almost extended their lead further but Varga somehow managed to hit the crossbar from no more than three yards after Sutton had flicked on another dangerous Thompson free-kick.

The visitors were rampant now and only a marvellous save from Klos denied Larsson a second from Sutton's unselfish pull back.

Marshall made another important stop on 74 minutes to deny Rangers a way back into the game, coming out to block Mols who had been played in cleverly by substitute Chris Burke.

Rangers did ensure an exciting climax by pulling one back nine minutes from time when substitute Steven Thompson rose powerfully to head home Burke's left-wing corner.

Despite one or two scares Celtic held firm, though, to continue their dominant recent form over their Glasgow foes.