Celtic notched five goals for the third successive time in this fixture as Dunfermline inability to defend was sadly exposed as goals rained in in the second half.

Dunfermline played with some control and passion in the first half without bothering the Celtic keeper much. Good work from Edinho on the left set up David Graham but his shot hit the outside of the post. Millar had a shot from 25 yards in the 18th minute and at the other end Larsson missed an open goal when it seemed easier to score. Dunfermline were happy to go in at half time with a clean scoresheet.

The second half opened with no clues of the destruction that was to follow. Before the Celtic avalanche Hamish French could have opened the scoring from a great break down the left. The ball went wide to French on the right, he beat his man and fired in a shot that was deflected inches wide of Gould’s right hand post. From the resultant corner Petrie tried to cross but instead set up a sweeping pass from deep on the right out to the left flank of the Celtic attack. Next Marc Millar found himself clearing off the line only a minute before Celtic scored four goals in 8 mad minutes.

The Pars defence found extreme difficulty in clearing the ball out of defence and duly paid the price. Two goals from Henrik Larsson, the second from the penalty spot after Jamie Squires had upended Stephane Mahe. The penalty decision upset the Pars defence and Marc Millar was booked for dissent. Swede Johan Mjallby made it three on the hour and Lubomir Moravcik got the first of his brace three minutes later.

Loyally elements of the Pars support applauded their shell shocked team off the park
Realistically no one expected Dunfermline to take points from this match but from being able to hold Celtic for the first half it was disappointing that the defence created a dual carriageway towards Butler’s goal in the second 45.

Jamie Squires booking now means that he misses a match through suspension.

DUNFERMLINE : Butler; Millar, Squires, Shields, McCulloch; French, Smith, Ferguson (Martin 82), Petrie; Graham (Shaw 70), Edinho (Templeman 75).
Subs not used: Westwater, Fraser
Yellow cards: Squires (8), Millar (55).

Referee: Bobby Orr (Kilbarchan)
Attendance:.59,024
League position: bottom

Next match v Aberdeen (home) Saturday 26th December 1998