Stan Petrov stole the show with a magnificent hat-trick on a night when the hoops played their best flowing football in many a year.

Rangers throw away a 2 goal lead at Livingston to cap it all off!

Strachan decided to start with the same team as Sunday, the only change came on the bench where Didier Agathe replaced Alan Thompson. It was agreed that this was Celtics best line-up with maybe only Zurawski to come in ahead of an unlucky Beattie, and on the premise that Nakamura and Maloney swapped sides throughout the game!

The first ten minutes were tight and scrappy – then it raced into life after the first mistake of the game from Well. Beattie robbed the right back as he fell over and took a spendid first touch to propel him to the edge of the box. Instead of shooting he spotted Nakamura on the right who had made a 60yd run from midfield. Beattie’s pass was too strong unfortunately and a clear goal chance was gone.

Three minutes later came goal of the season so far. It started with Lennon passing it back and forward across the defensive line – then it progressed into the feet of Maloney, Petrov and Sutton – then back out the wing from where Shaun cut inside and played a killer dead weight pass into the path of Petrov’s continued forward run. Stan duly lashed it past the helpless Smith. It was at least 20 passes in total from start to finish – 1 touch pass and move football at it finest.

The goals came thundering on. 3 minutes later another slick move saw Nakamura feed in Beattie in behind the Well rearguard. His first time cross just eluded Suttons head, but found wee Shaun at the back post. He took one touch and slipped it in at the keepers near post. The fans had barely finished discussing the last goal as Beattie teed up Petrov at the edge of the box and Stan fired in a precise finish off the foot of the upright.

The match was not all one way traffic and Motherwell did have a few attacks. They came closest to registering just before half time for comic moment number one.

Balde tried a passback, and sold Boruc a good 10 yards short! Foran was in like a whippet and Boruc was still so far away he couldn’t even dive in. Foran took it round Boruc and seemed about to walk it into the open goal, but somehow the big Pole got a stretched claw to the ball and stole it off the astonished striker’s laces!

Last man back at this point was Stan the man (no surprises eh?) and he turned to give big Bobo an almighty earbashing, while Balde stared at his shoes. Flipping hilarious! This was Petrov’s man of the match clincher before he even completed his treble.

Into the second half and it was still all Celtic. The cunning Border Fhox spotted young Wallace warming up and boldly predicted – He’ll be on for Camara at left back, played there in reserves and got MOM all three games. No way I replied, Strachan has never taken Camara off before. 1-0 Fhox. What an ovation Camara got by the way, he certainly wouldn’t have got that a month ago.

Wallace did impress I have to say – he made intelligent linkup play with Maloney and even had a decent effort on goal. His passing from defence is a breath of fresh air unlike ‘head doon’ Camara.

Next up, a contender for goal of the night and hence goal of the season. 30 yard free kick – Naka over the ball. The onfire Fox utters, ‘top corner by the way pal – you watch it!’ He was close – should have said postage stamp top corner and then I would have given him it! What a goal.

John Hartson arrived next and got a rapturous welcome onto the pitch replacing the tireless Craig Beattie. With all the possession it really could have been 6 or 7 and Neil Lennon was trying his hardest to get in on the act. He decided to play right midfield allowing (or telling) Nakamura to go play centre. His immediate impact was to collect a ball out wide, beat a defender (pure jammy) and head for the box. Super Neil squared it to Sutton, who one touched to John who poked it back again to Neil who had continued the run. He took one clumsy touch, breathed in some badly needed oxygen and slid the ball under the keeps. Crowd goes buck mental – then realises the flag was up – cue 60,000 smiling and cursing faces. Poor Lenny had his head in hands for about a minute on the penalty spot - then saw the funny side. Jesus he loves the fans!

I got my own back on shithead Fhox when he provided me with comedy moment number two. I pulled out a few free biscuits from a course I had that morning. He called me a jakey bassa. Coming from a man who would sell his Granny for some TESCO Steak-in-a-tin, he had me laughing my balls off. Also, anyone from Holiday / Travel Inn want to know where all your coffee sachets go? – Check out the Fhox’ s lair!

Anyway, the fifth and final treat arrived 7 minutes from time. Again it was so japanesey. Naka flicked the ball towards Sutton who dummied brilliantly into the perfectly timed run of Petrov (getting repetitive?!) Stan took a touch and lashed it into the far corner for his first ever Celtic hat-trick.

Big John nearly added a couple more before the news that comedy moment number three had arrived. The huns had let slip a 2 goal lead at Almondvale and drew 2 each. You couldn't hear the final whistle for :

and

Great night indeed…….

…….Until I got to the carpark and noticed a £75 fine from some souped up carpark attendant for ‘Event Parking’

Do you know what? It was nearly worth it!!