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The sun was shining over Firhill, and there was the usual pathetic turnout from the Thistle fans. Celtic supporters occupied about 70% of the seats in the ground. The home support contradicted themselves by booing Rab Douglas, presumably due to his performance for Scotland midweek, while waving Scottish flags. Booing members of their own national team basically summed up the Thistle fans today.
John Kennedy returned to the starting eleven, due to Didier Agathe's absence through injury. It is unknown whether Agathe will be fit for Thursday but Kennedy was impressive today.
Celtic bombarded the Thistle goal, it was wave after wave of attack from the Hoops, and God only knows how it took so long to break the deadlock. Chris Sutton missed a great chance, as did Bobo Balde with a header, and Henrik Larsson early on.
Sutton was the one who grabbed Celtic's opener on 35 minutes. Alan Thompson's free-kick was headed across goal by Kennedy, and Sutton bundled the ball home. The Englishman's celebration summed up Celtic's relief at the goal, and there was more to come.
Celtic's second goal came only 3 minutes later, when again, Alan Thompson provided the delivery, this time for Stan Varga to head into the bottom corner of the net.
The three points looked safe enough at half time.
The Thistle players must have been taking brave pills at half time, as they attempted to kick Celtic off the park in the second half.
There was certainly a more heated atmosphere both on and off the park, Neil Lennon was once again the subject of sectarian abuse, and the Celtic fans in the Jackie Husband were treated to Red Hand salutes from a sizeable minority of the Thistle support.
Chris Sutton made it 3-0 from the penalty spot, after John Kennedy was fouled inside the Thistle box. Only 52 minutes gone and the Jags fans were already heading for the exits.
Several of Thistle's players were attempting to make names for themselves and they won't be given the publicity they are after on here. Neil Lennon was blatantly elbowed but Kenny Clark declined to stop the play - even though it was a blow to Lennon's head! Thistle continued to attack and Gerry Britton grabbed a goal to make it 3-1.
Jorge Cadete appeared as a late substitute and showed slight promise for Thistle. There was a mixed reaction for the former Celtic striker, though most fans haven't forgotten the way he and his two mates deserted Celtic several years ago.
To rub salt into Thistle's wound, Stan Varga headed home a second for himself and a fourth for Celtic, on 81 minutes.
All in all, a good performance by Celtic, it really was men against boys. Our 24th league win in a row sets us up very nicely for the beginning of our UEFA Cup campaign on Thursday night.
Celtic:
Douglas - 8
Varga - 9
Kennedy - 8
Balde - 8
McNamara - 7
Pearson - 7 (Maloney - 6)
Lennon - 9 (Lambert - 6)
Petrov - 8
Thompson - 9
Sutton - 9 (Sylla - 6)
Larsson - 6
Celtic-Mad Man of the Match: Chris Sutton