Celtic edged past Partick Thistle with a 1-0 victory in the Scottish Premiership this afternoon, thanks to a first-half strike from Joe Ledley.
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Teemu Pukki almost put the hosts ahead straight after kickoff as he was allowed time and space, but the striker couldn't convert as his shot was saved in the centre of goal.
The visitors had two excellent chances early on as great balls were delivered into the box. However, Stuart Banniga and Lyle Taylor were wasteful as both of their headers flew wide of the target.
Thistle's Christie Elliott almost made amends as he crashed a header towards the roof of the net, though Fraser Forster did just enough to keep the ball out of the Celtic goal.
James Craigen had another great chance to give the visitors a shock lead going into half time, as he rose to connect with an in-swinging delivery, but could only guide the effort straight into the arms of Forster.
Thistle were made to pay in the 39th minute as Celtic's Ledley unleashed a right-footed shot from outside the box, which flew past the goalkeeper and into the bottom right corner.
Charlie Mulgrew almost doubled the hosts' lead just after half time as he whipped in a direct free kick, which was a little too high as it crept over the crossbar.
Pukki wasted another good chance for Neil Lennon's men to put the game to bed as the striker couldn't find the bottom corner.
Elliott nearly delivered a shock equaliser for Thistle nearing the end of the game, but his effort from distance crept over the bar with most of the ground thinking the ball was headed into the net.
Christopher Dodd
