Celtic moved 20 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League with a confident display of power that leaves Dunfermline rooted to the bottom.

Charlie Mulgrew celebrated his first Scotland call-up with a spectacular drive from 30 yards after 32 minutes.

Pars goalkeeper Chris Smith might have done better with that but pulled off a series of saves to prevent a rout.

But James Forrest forced the ball home from a Gary Hooper cross after 75 minutes to secure Celtic's win.

It was Celtic's 13th in a row in all competitions, equalling a feat achieved by Martin O'Neill's side in 2004, and 19 in domestic games.

Mulgrew opened the scoring for Celtic against the Pars

Mulgrew opened the scoring for Celtic against the Pars

Dunfermline's only consolation was news from Fir Park of Hibernian's 4-3 defeat by Motherwell that leaves the Pars tied with the Leith outfit on points but behind on goal difference and having played a game more.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon showed the strength of his squad by giving starts to Cha Du-ri, Emilio Izaguirre, Ki Sung-yueng and Kris Commons in place of Forrest, Adam Matthews, Victor Wanyama and Thomas Rogne.

Dunfermline boss Jim McIntyre adopted a defensive formation, with Andy Dowie, Paul Burns, Ryan Thomson and Liam Buchanan coming in for Martin Hardie, Gary Mason, Jordan McMillan and the injured Andy Kirk.

Ki tested Smith with a drive from distance that the goalkeeper saved and he also touched a Hooper shot round the post.

It was one-way traffic and Smith made another decent save, this time from Anthony Stokes' drive before Commons fired over the bar.

Celtic were spraying the ball about the pitch confidently and at speed and a Hooper header was gathered by Smith.

Mulgrew, named in Craig Levein's squad for next week's friendly in Slovenia, made the breakthrough when he had a go from 30 yards and the powerful drive deceived Smith.

The goalkeeper prevented a second with a block after Hooper set up Commons 12 yards out before parrying to safety the latter's effort from outside the box.

Despite the pressure, Dunfermline could have levelled when defender Alex Keddie headed straight at goalkeeper Fraser Forster from Joe Cardle's corner.

Pars boss McIntyre rearranged his defence at the break, with Austin McCann replacing the injured Kevin Rutkiewicz.

Stokes missed a gilt-edged chance when found by Izaguirre's cross to the back post, but the striker was left with head in hands after knocking his effort wide.

Buchanan squandered a chance at the other end before Smith was the Dunfermline hero again, blocking from Joe Ledley, with Hooper skying the rebound.

Smith produced yet another finger-tip save to deny Scott Brown, but Celtic gave themselves the breathing space they were looking for when Forrest finished off Hooper's cross.

Commons fired over then forced another parry from Smith, who also beat away a Hooper effort, as Dunfermline managed to prevent a heavier defeat.

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (6)

Celtic

  • 01 Forster
  • 03 Izaguirre (Forrest - 67' )
  • 06 Wilson
  • 11 Cha Du-Ri
  • 21 Mulgrew
  • 08 Brown (Brozek - 77' )
  • 16 Ledley
  • 18 Ki Sung-Yeung
  • 10 Stokes (Samaras - 67' )
  • 15 Commons
  • 88 Hooper

Substitutes

  • 24 Zaluska
  • 05 Majstorovic
  • 02 Matthews
  • 46 McGeouch
  • 09 Samaras
  • 17 Brozek
  • 49 Forrest

Dunfermline

  • 20 Smith
  • 05 Rutkiewicz (McCann - 46' )
  • 06 Keddie
  • 13 Boyle
  • 15 Dowie
  • 07 Cardle (Willis - 60' )
  • 17 Burns
  • 23 Thomson Booked
  • 24 Hutton
  • 11 Graham
  • 19 Buchanan (Hardie - 67' )

Substitutes

  • 30 Goodfellow
  • 03 McCann
  • 04 Mason
  • 08 Hardie
  • 22 Willis
  • 34 Byrne
  • 12 McDougall
Ref: O'Reilly
Att: 45,000

Match Stats

Shots

27 3

On target

16 3

Corners

16 3

Fouls

5 7

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +1:35 Full time

Full Time The referee blows his whistle to end the game.

90:00 +0:56

Effort on goal by Kris Commons from just inside the area clears the bar.

89:49

Sung-Yeung Ki decides to take a short corner.

88:15

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Sung-Yeung Ki from the left by-line, clearance made by Alex Keddie.

86:53

Effort from 18 yards by Gary Hooper. Save made by Fraser Forster.

85:07

The offside flag is raised against Georgios Samaras. Indirect free kick taken by Chris Smith.

83:55

Patrick Boyle takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster.

83:04

Centre by James Forrest.

82:14

Shot by Kris Commons from 18 yards. Save by Chris Smith.

82:45

Charlie Mulgrew takes a shot. Austin McCann gets a block in.

82:29

Short corner taken by Georgios Samaras from the right by-line.

82:14

Kris Commons takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Chris Smith makes a save.

81:58

Short corner worked by Georgios Samaras.

81:00

Martin Hardie challenges Charlie Mulgrew unfairly and gives away a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick.

80:24

A cross is delivered by James Forrest, Kris Commons takes a shot from just outside the penalty area which clears the crossbar.

78:44

The ball is swung over by Du-Ri Cha, clearance by David Graham.

78:28

Free kick awarded for a foul by Martin Hardie on Kelvin Wilson. Kris Commons takes the free kick.

77:58

Georgios Samaras takes a short corner.

76:51 Substitution

Substitution (Celtic) makes a substitution, with Pawel Brozek coming on for Scott Brown.

74:22

Gary Hooper provided the assist for the goal.

74:22 Goal scored

Goal - James Forrest - Celtic 2 - 0 Dunf'mline James Forrest finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Celtic 2-0 Dunfermline.

72:32

Corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons, Paul Burns makes a clearance.

72:01

Gary Hooper challenges Chris Smith unfairly and gives away a free kick. Chris Smith takes the direct free kick.

71:27

Corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons, clearance made by Ryan Thomson.

71:21

The ball is sent over by Scott Brown, Austin McCann makes a clearance.

70:56

Short corner taken by Sung-Yeung Ki.

70:49

Centre by Joe Ledley, Alex Keddie manages to make a clearance.

67:26

Charlie Mulgrew takes the inswinging corner, Paul Willis makes a clearance.

66:10

Inswinging corner taken by Sung-Yeung Ki, clearance by Alex Keddie.

66:10 Substitution

Substitution Martin Hardie joins the action as a substitute, replacing Liam Buchanan.

66:10 Substitution

Substitution Georgios Samaras comes on in place of Anthony Stokes.

66:10 Substitution

Substitution James Forrest on for Emilio Izaguirre.

65:43

The ball is delivered by Joe Ledley, Scott Brown takes a shot. Save by Chris Smith.

63:25

Paul Willis gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kris Commons. Anthony Stokes has a direct shot on goal from the free kick.

62:07

Kris Commons produces a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that goes wide left of the target.

59:11

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Paul Willis, Ryan Thomson takes a shot. Emilio Izaguirre gets a block in.

59:11 Substitution

Substitution Joe Cardle goes off and Paul Willis comes on.

59:11

Corner taken right-footed by Ryan Thomson, Ryan Thomson takes a shot. Blocked by Emilio Izaguirre.

59:11 Substitution

Substitution Paul Willis is brought on as a substitute for Joe Cardle.

57:10

Unfair challenge on Kelvin Wilson by Ryan Thomson results in a free kick.

57:18

Joe Ledley takes the free kick.

57:18 Booking

Booking Ryan Thomson is booked.

57:10

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kelvin Wilson by Ryan Thomson.

56:29

Shot from close in by Gary Hooper misses to the left of the target.

56:17

Effort from 12 yards by Joe Ledley. Save by Chris Smith.

56:12

Du-Ri Cha produces a cross, Patrick Boyle manages to make a clearance.

55:39

Gary Hooper takes a shot. Save made by Chris Smith.

54:56

Joe Ledley takes a shot. Save by Chris Smith.

54:51

A cross is delivered by Du-Ri Cha.

53:34

Gary Hooper produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the left-hand post.

52:05

Emilio Izaguirre produces a cross.

51:45

Du-Ri Cha produces a cross, clearance made by Patrick Boyle.

50:18

The referee penalises Gary Hooper for handball. Kyle Hutton takes the free kick.

49:37

The ball is sent over by Sung-Yeung Ki, Header by Joe Ledley from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.

48:48

The ball is crossed by Emilio Izaguirre, Anthony Stokes produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the right-hand post.

48:28

Emilio Izaguirre delivers the ball, Andy Dowie manages to make a clearance.

47:16

Kris Commons sends in a cross, save by Chris Smith.

46:20

Anthony Stokes sends in a cross, clearance by Andy Dowie.

45:31

Foul by Austin McCann on Gary Hooper, free kick awarded. Kris Commons takes the free kick.

45:01

The second half has started.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Austin McCann comes on in place of Kevin Rutkiewicz.

45:00 +0:03 Half time

Half Time The whistle is blown to end the first half.

44:04

The ball is sent over by Anthony Stokes, Kevin Rutkiewicz makes a clearance.

43:08

Effort on goal by Emilio Izaguirre from outside the box goes harmlessly over the bar.

42:40

The ball is sent over by Du-Ri Cha, clearance by Patrick Boyle.

41:53

A cross is delivered by Emilio Izaguirre, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Joe Ledley goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

39:49

Unfair challenge on Kyle Hutton by Scott Brown results in a free kick. Andy Dowie restarts play with the free kick.

38:53

Corner taken right-footed by Joe Cardle from the left by-line, Alex Keddie takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster.

38:30

Kris Commons takes a shot. Save made by Chris Smith.

37:17

David Graham fouled by Emilio Izaguirre, the ref awards a free kick. Chris Smith takes the direct free kick.

37:01

Corner taken by Kris Commons played to the near post, clearance made by David Graham.

36:44

Kris Commons takes a shot. Save made by Chris Smith.

36:32

Joe Cardle sends in a cross, clearance by Sung-Yeung Ki.

35:22

Drilled right-footed shot by Kris Commons. Chris Smith makes a save.

35:05

The ball is sent over by Anthony Stokes.

34:23

Free kick awarded for a foul by Emilio Izaguirre on David Graham. Free kick taken by Andy Dowie.

33:34

Ryan Thomson concedes a free kick for a foul on Joe Ledley. Free kick taken by Joe Ledley.

31:58

Sung-Yeung Ki provided the assist for the goal.

31:58 Goal scored

Goal - Charlie Mulgrew - Celtic 1 - 0 Dunf'mline Goal scored by Charlie Mulgrew to to the top left corner of the goal. Celtic 1-0 Dunfermline.

31:24

The ball is sent over by Emilio Izaguirre, Patrick Boyle manages to make a clearance.

29:51

Du-Ri Cha sends in a cross, clearance by Joe Cardle.

29:19

The ball is delivered by Kris Commons, Gary Hooper takes a shot. Save made by Andy Dowie.

28:01

Kris Commons crosses the ball, clearance by Alex Keddie.

26:56

Scott Brown gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Patrick Boyle. Direct free kick taken by Chris Smith.

22:44

Effort on goal by Kris Commons from inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the bar.

22:35

Anthony Stokes takes a shot. Save by Chris Smith.

21:04

The ball is swung over by Du-Ri Cha.

20:35

The ball is delivered by Emilio Izaguirre.

19:24

Sung-Yeung Ki takes a inswinging corner.

19:07

Short corner taken by Kris Commons.

18:43

Gary Hooper takes a shot. Save made by Chris Smith.

17:44

Corner taken right-footed by Joe Cardle, clearance by Joe Ledley.

16:55

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Sung-Yeung Ki, Alex Keddie makes a clearance. Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Sung-Yeung Ki.

15:42

The offside flag is raised against Gary Hooper. Chris Smith restarts play with the free kick.

14:29

Centre by Emilio Izaguirre.

13:45

Liam Buchanan challenges Emilio Izaguirre unfairly and gives away a free kick. Emilio Izaguirre restarts play with the free kick.

13:16

Du-Ri Cha delivers the ball, comfortable save by Chris Smith.

12:22

Centre by Kris Commons, Kevin Rutkiewicz manages to make a clearance.

11:05

Centre by Anthony Stokes.

8:16

Du-Ri Cha crosses the ball, Kevin Rutkiewicz makes a clearance.

7:38

Shot by Sung-Yeung Ki from 35 yards. Save by Chris Smith.

6:21

Corner from the right by-line taken by Kris Commons, Patrick Boyle manages to make a clearance.

6:17

The ball is sent over by Du-Ri Cha, Patrick Boyle manages to make a clearance.

5:26

The referee blows for offside against Anthony Stokes. Indirect free kick taken by Chris Smith.

4:42

Du-Ri Cha produces a cross.

3:55

Liam Buchanan is caught offside. Charlie Mulgrew takes the indirect free kick.

0:00

The ref blows the whistle to start the match.

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