It is a damning indictment on the state of the Scottish game that some people believe the championship race is over simply because Celtic won and Rangers drew, writes Graham Clark
That immediately gave the champions a two-point lead and there are those who believe that the gap can be maintained through to May.
Yet that argument forgets four Old Firm matches to come, when anything can happen, and also delivers a slight to teams like Kilmarnock, who thoroughly deserved their draw against Rangers, Aberdeen, who started with a win at Hibernian, and Livingston, who defeated Motherwell.
Celtic had the best of the day, though, especially Henrik Larsson, whose two goals in a 2-1 win against Dunfermline suggest he is taking over where he left off last season. "I'm not fully fit yet," the Swede said afterwards. "I have a bit to go."
Larsson has dismissed a move to England when his Parkhead contract expires in 2004. He admits he is still unsure where his future will lie when he leaves Celtic despite his original intention of returning to his first club, Hogaborgs.
"I've never been tempted to go to England, Italy or Spain just because people say I should. The truth is I don't know exactly where I'll be going in two years when my contract with Celtic ends.
"I will have been here for a seven incredible years and I think that is enough. I have had my time here. I will eventually carry out my plan to play for Helgaborgs as promised. But I don't know if that will be in two or three years or more.
"I'm not being mysterious about where I will go. I'll have to see what kind of player I'll be then. I may be absolutely knackered and unable to do anything."
It was not an entirely convincing Celtic display and it required an outstanding save by Rab Douglas - preferred to Magnus Hedman, who was twiddling his thumbs on the bench - from Barry Nicholson late on to deny the Fifers, who had already pulled a goal back through Gary Dempsey.
At Easter Road the points looked like they would be shared after Paco Luna scored for Hibernian and Darren Mackie had equalised for Aberdeen but Chris Clark scored the visitors' winner seven minutes into injury time, awarded after his team-mate Kevin McNaughton had suffered a knock on the head.
Livingston were winners too, although after going 3-0 up thanks to a goal from Oscar Rubio and a two from Rolando Zarate, Motherwell staged a comeback which saw Scott Leitch and Dirk Lehmann make for a close finish. A Gary Wales goal for Hearts and an equaliser from Dundee's Fabien Caballero ensured a draw at Dens Park but there were no goals at Firhill, where promoted Partick Thistle drew with Dundee United.
Guardian Service
