Scottish Premier League/Gretna 1 Celtic 2:Amid their feelings of disbelief shortly before 5pm yesterday, Gretna's players should perhaps have realised they had finally been fully inaugurated into the Scottish Premier League. A goal ahead with four minutes to play, David Irons's side discovered, like so many before them, that the Old Firm can - and do - win matches even when well short of their best.
That Celtic have returned to the top of the SPL owes nothing to their standard of play at Gretna's temporary home in Motherwell. Rather, Gordon Strachan's players retain a will to win which, as on this occasion, can save them even when they are not deserving of salvation.
"Gretna showed fantastic spirit," said Strachan. "And, funnily enough, I feel for them because I've been there."
Yet Celtic's glaring inadequacies played a significant part in their hosts' success. Fabian Yantorno, an impressive Uruguayan midfielder, opened the scoring eight minutes before the interval with a 30-yard free-kick that deceived Artur Boruc in the Celtic goal.
That Boruc's opposite number, Greg Fleming, did not have a save to make during the opening half says it all about Celtic's lethargic showing.
A miraculous goalline clearance from Evan Horwood, midway through the second period, had even Strachan believing this was not to be his side's day but Chris Killen, making his first starting appearance, headed the champions level. Then came the winner, Scott McDonald stroking home after Aiden McGeady's shot fell into the Australian striker's path in the first minute of stoppage time.
However, Celtic's victory was overshadowed by the hamstring injury sustained by Paul Hartley.
Strachan later said it would be "impossible" for Hartley to remain in the Scotland squad for Saturday's match against Ukraine and the trip to Georgia next Wednesday.
Meanwhile, David Weir insists Rangers must take full advantage of the first Old Firm derby of the season to steer their title challenge back on track after dropping more points to Hibernian on Saturday.
A David Murphy goal allowed Hibs to win at Ibrox as Rangers' hopes of snatching the championship from Celtic's grasp suffered another serious blow.
GRETNA: Fleming, Barr, Innes, Cowan, Collin (Grainger 14), Horwood, Jenkins, Murray, Skelton, Yantorno (Paartalu 81), Grady (McMenamin 64). Subs not used: Caig, Graham, McGill, Hogg. Booked: Murray, Barr, Cowan.
CELTIC: Boruc, Hartley (Kennedy 18), Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Scott Brown, Donati (Jarosik 80), McGeady, Killen, McDonald, Kennedy (O'Brien 75). Subs not used: Mark Brown, O'Dea, Sno, Riordan. Booked: McDonald. Goals: Killen 86, McDonald 90. Att: 6,011
Referee: B Winter (Scotland)
