So Japanesey!!

This chant had to arrive at some point during Nakamura's term at Celtic, and a convincing win at struggling Dunfermline was the perfect platform. Two goals in each half were enough to see off a spirited Pars side on a dreary Sunday afternoon in Fife. ‘Magic' stole the show with two well taken goals, but Captain Stan the Man was the real driving force behind Celtic's much improved performance.

All the prematch chat was about who Gordon Strachan would play in place of the suspended Lennon and Thompson. After countless replays in the pub of the Ivan Sproule show from Saturday, the team sheet was announced with Virgo given Lennons role in central midfield. Nakamura was moved to the left side of midfield, Craig Beattie employed down the right, and crowd favourite Stan Petrov given the captains armband and his favoured central midfield slot. Zurawski was recalled up front alongside John Hartson, giving a much more balanced Celtic starting eleven.

Straight from the kick-off, nerves were in evidence again across the back four, with sloppy passes and needless corners conceded. The referee set the standard early as well, pulling up Hartson 3 times in a row for backing in, and then failing to deal with some hefty challenges by the Dunfermline players.

Celtic found their feet though, and a slick move sent Zurawski away down the left. Instead of crossing the ball, he cut back inside on his right foot and drilled a hard low shot inside the near post. It was a huge relief for Zurawski getting off the mark after 5 attempts, never mind the relief experienced by every fan in the ground!

The second followed inside 5 minutes of the first, and I don't know where to begin describing it. A poor passback by Thomson put the Dunfermline rearguard in trouble. The ball then was moved back to the keeper who managed to slice his clearance straight into two defenders, and when the ball fell at the feet of a bemused Hartson, he could do nothing but drive the ball into an empty net! 2-0 and coasting? If only!

Dunfermline weren't about to throw in the towel and were presented a lifeline when Virgo body checked Burchill in the box and a dubious penalty awarded. Burchill stepped up to take it, getting booed and jeered by every fan behind the goal. He struck it well - low to the bottom corner - but Boruc guessed right and pulled off a super save to turn the ball round the post. I think the giant Pole enjoyed his moment, smiling from ear to ear and applauding all the fans chanting ‘Theres only one Artur Boruc'! Nakamura and Beattie then swapped wings in an effort to find more space, but the change didn't seem to be working. The half time whistle went, and although 2-0 up, most thought the scoreline was slightly flattering. Only Petrov and Zurawski could be said to be having a good game.

Into the second half, and it was clear Dunfermline still thought they had a winning chance. Who could blame them after the Fir Park debacle on the opening day. Some hesitant defending allowed half chances being presented but not taken, mostly thanks to some strong and confident keeping by big Art. The killer goal then arrived just before the hour. A drilled pass again sent Zurawski down the left seemingly held up by the covering defender. A quick swivel of the ankles later and the defender was on his ass, and Magic closing in on goal. John Hartson was motionless (he was like that a lot during the match!) at the edge of the box - but Magic looked up and played a perfect ball across the face of goal for the onrushing Nakamura to tap into the net. Cue the chant of ITS SO JAPANESEY echoing round the ground for the next 5 minutes.

By now the Celtic attackers were rampant (BBJ not included) with Nakamura, Zurawski, Beattie and Petrov passing and moving superbly. Zurawski should have had a hat trick before he actually got his second, twice blasting over when in perfect positions. When his second did come, it was more from bad defending than slick attacking, as Thomson contrived to muck up a clearance allowing Zurawski a clear run on goal which he duly finished into the corner. ITS SO JAPANESEY SO JAPAN - ESE -Y!!

So there it was - the convincing result, the clean sheet, attractive football, confidence at last. Great second half displays from Beattie, Nakamura and Zurawski. Solid displays from Telfer, Boruc and Lawson. The man of the match was easily Petrov - unbelievable energy, passion and commitment. Fulltime Captain Anybody??!

Boruc 8, Telfer 8, Balde 7, McManus 7, Camara 6, Virgo 5 (Lawson 6), Nakamura 7, Petrov 9, Beattie 8, Zurawski 8 (McGeady), Hartson 5