The Hoops won another 3 points today after an entertaining game at Celtic Park. The win restored their 16 point advantage at the top of the SPL.

Celtic looked relieved to be playing on grass again after last weeks visit to Ibrox.

Both teams passed the ball well and created several chances but the real star of the game was referee Ian Brines. He managed to turn in one of the worst refereeing performances seen at Celtic Park for many years. He managed to infuriate both teams with a succession of wrong decisions.

In fact, the only thing missing from his performance was a curly orange wig and big red nose.

Celtic started well and were driven on in the first half by Thomas Gravesen, but the first real chance fell to SPL top scorer Anthony Stokes, who hit the ball over the bar from close range after a Gow cross was headed back across goal.

But Celtic made the break through in the 23rd minute with a fantastic curling effort from 20 yards by Gravesen. The Falkirk players appealed for hand ball claiming that the dane had controlled the ball with an arm, but it was clearly ball to hand.

McGeady had another effort over the bar so the score remained 1-0 at half time.

Falkirk looked lively in the second half with Boruc denying Stokes and Gow saw a shot rebound off the Celtic crossbar.

But the real drama was saved until injury time, when the referee awarded Celtic their first penalty after 20 SPL games when Lennon was fouled in the area.

The Falkirk players wrongly accused Lennon of a dive, then the Celtic captain clashed with Stokes. Lennon received a red card and Stokes only a yellow.

The young Falkirk player had started to walk off expecting a red only for Ian Brines to produce the yellow.

The Falkirk keeper was set to take a goal kick, then as the comedy refereeing continued, it was only after the assistant reminded Mr. Brines that he had given a spot kick that it could be taken.

Kenny Miller took the penalty, but his shot hit a post and out to safety.

It was too late for any further drama as the referee brought the game to an end after 98 minutes.


Celtic: Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Lennon, Gravesen (Sno 75), McGeady (Riordan 78), Jarosik, Zurawski (Miller 73). Subs Not Used: Marshall, Beattie, Pearson, O'Dea.

Sent Off: Lennon (90).
Booked: Gravesen, Balde, McManus.
Goals: Gravesen 24.

Falkirk: Higgins, Ross, Craig (John Stewart 88), Barr, Milne, Dodd, Lima (Latapy 71), Cregg, O'Donnell, Gow, Stokes. Subs Not Used: Lambers, Scobbie, Uras, Mcstay, McManus.

Booked: Ross, Dodd, Milne, Stokes.

Att: 55,000 Ref: Coco T. Clown

TC MOTM Lee Naylor