Wednesday 21 December 2016 10:32, UK
Scott Sinclair's 11th goal of the season was enough for Celtic to beat Partick Thistle 1-0 on Tuesday night and go 14 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Sinclair rifled home Liam Henderson's free-kick in the 17th minute of the top-versus-bottom clash at Celtic Park.
The victory extends the Hoops' winning run to 12 league games and puts them in full control of the title race - as well as being 14 points clear of second-placed Rangers, they have also played a game fewer.
Thistle - beaten 4-1 at home by the champions 11 days ago - more than played their part, but passed up several chances before and after Sinclair's effort as Celtic stretched their unbeaten domestic run to 21 games.
Brendan Rodgers' men also missed opportunities at a sodden Parkhead, but it was far from a vintage display from the home side, who made a slow start to the game.
Partick forward Ryan Edwards got past Hoops defender Jozo Simunovic in the fifth minute but his drive was easily saved by Craig Gordon before the home goalkeeper parried an angled drive from Ade Azeez, gathering it at the second attempt.
However, a minute after Jags defender Liam Lindsay half-volleyed a Sean Welsh corner high over the bar, Celtic took the lead.
Maryhill defender Callum Booth was booked by referee Euan Anderson for a foul on overlapping right-back Cristian Gamboa and Henderson rolled the free-kick from outside of the box inside to the unmarked Sinclair, who smartly fired high past Partick Thistle goalkeeper Tomas Cerny for his 11th goal of the season.
Miller had his chance for glory in the 29th minute when he ventured up into the Thistle box and took a Sinclair pass, but his side-footed drive from 14 yards was straight at Cerny.
Celtic were still not in top gear and Thistle should have levelled in the 37th minute, when Edwards sped past Brown and played in Azeez but, with only Gordon to beat, he lacked conviction and the Scotland goalkeeper blocked the shot for a corner which came to nothing.
The league leaders upped the tempo at the start of the second half and in the 52nd minute Cerny made a fine save from Roberts' close-range drive.
But Thistle kept driving forward when they could and they claimed optimistically for a penalty when Edwards' cross appeared to strike Miller's arm, but referee Anderson was right to ignore.
