Gretna 0 Celtic 3

WELCOME to www.celticfc.net for this afternoon’s Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League match between Gretna and Celtic at Almondvale Stadium. Kick off is at 2pm.
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has made one change to the side that lost 1-0 to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup on Tuesday. Barry Robson replaces Massimo Donati in central midfield.
A win for Celtic against the SPL’s bottom club would move the reigning champions to within three points of Rangers, ahead of next Saturday’s pivotal Glasgow derby at Ibrox.

Today’s teams:

GRETNA (4-5-1) Fleming; Naughton, Skelton, Hall, Meynell, McGill, Baldacchino, Osman, Murray, Deverdics, Wilkinson
Subs: Krysiak, Hogg, Barr, Makinwa, Shultz-Eklund, Taylor, Griffiths

CELTIC (4-4-2) Boruc; Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor; Nakamura, Robson, S.Brown, McGeady; McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink
Subs not used: M.Brown, Sno, Riordan, O’Dea, Hartley, Samaras, Killen

Gretna kick off.

Gretna keeper Fleming gathers Boruc's long kick under pressure from McDonald

Celtic make progress on the right wing but Robson is crowded out

Naylor fires a pass to Vennegoor of Hesselink on the edge of the box, but McDonald can't control his lay-off

Caldwell starts a move forward and Robson almost gets on the end of McDonald's lay off, but the pass is too heavy

McGeady whips in a dangerous cross to the front post, but Gretna clear

Hinkel swings in a deep cross to the back post, but there are no takers

Patient passing from Celtic creates space for Nakamura, but his shot is blocked

McDonald is fouled by Hall on the left wing. Nakamura's cross eventually lands at Caldwell, who dinks a lovely ball to Brown. Somehow, Gretna survive

McGeady skips in from the left wing and sends a shot towards the top corner, which Fleming does well to save

Hinkel's searching pass is too long for McDonald as Celtic continue to chase the opener

Caldwell picks out McGeady on the left wing and he finds Naylor at the edge of the box. The full-back opts to shoot and the chance is lost

Robson wins a free-kick 30 yards from goal and Nakamura's curling effort is easily caught by Fleming

Vennegoor of Hesselink wins possession and Robson releases Hinkel on the right, but the German can't get a cross into the box

McManus makes a superb tackle to deny Deverdics as Gretna almost make the most of a rare attack

McDonald and McGeady combine, but the winger's cross travels beyond the lurking Vennegoor of Hesselink

Robson stings Fleming's palms with a long range rocket and Brown then sends a header over the bar

Hinkel looks for Vennegoor of Hesselink in the box, but the striker can't escape the attention of the Gretna back four

Gretna have some success on the left wing, but Celtic deal with the attack

Robson wins a free-kick deep on the right. Nakamura finds Vennegoor of Hesselink with his cross, but glances the header wide

HALF-TIME: Gretna 0 Celtic 1: McDonald's goal puts the Hoops ahead at the break

Celtic kick off the second half

Robson wins a corner on the left wing. Nakamura again takes it, but Gretna clear easily

Vennegoor of Hesselink, Nakamura and McDonald all combine, but the Aussie can't get his shot away

Gretna have their first chance of the half when McGill slams a shot wide

Caldwell concedes a corner with a loose header. Vennegoor of Hesselink clears

Robson gathers the ball in midfield and finds McDonald on the left. Gretna again clear the danger

Hinkel's high ball is gathered by Vennegoor of Hesselink and Robson nearly finds a way through

Robson shows fantastic skill on the left and attempts to find Nakamura in the box. Gretna clear

Celtic probe for openings, but Gretna stand firm

Hinkel clears from the six-yard box as Gretna almost grab an equaliser

Fantastic play from Celtic. Brown finds Vennegoor of Hesselink, who plays an instant pass to McDonald. His shot is netbound, but Fleming produces a phenomenal save

Celtic substitution: McDonald off for Samaras

Brown plays in Nakamura on the right and his first-time pass is taken by Samaras, who fires a shot inches past the post

Gretna sub: Barr on for Deverdics

Vennegoor of Hesselink falls in the box, but no penalty is given

Celtic substitution: Brown off for Hartley
Gretna substitution: Wilkinson off for Makinwa

McGeady sends a volley inches over the bar

Hinkel moves forward on the right and attempts to find Vennegoor of Hesselink in the box. The Dutch striker is crowded out

McManus makes a brave block to deny Makinwa

Celtic sub: Sno on for Barry Robson

Murray concedes a corner with a woeful back pass. Nakamura's centre is headed past by Vennegoor of Hesselink

Gretna sub: Griffiths on for McGill

McGeady tries to play in Samaras but Gretna clear the daner

GOAL! Georgios Samaras: Gretna 0 Celtic 3: McGeady whips in a magnificent ball and the Greek striker flicks the ball in off the underside of the bar

Hinkel's cross deflects into Vennegoor of Hesselink's path and his shot is superbly saved by Fleming

FULL-TIME: Gretna 0 Celtic 3: Goals from Scott McDonald, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras give Celtic a comfortable win.