Inverness CT1

Celtic3

Scorers: Inverness CT - Wilson (44pen); Celtic - Hartson (25, 76), Petrov (68)

CONTROVERSY continues to stalk Neil Lennon like an obsessive fan. The incident which led to Juanjo's red card overshadowed an often toiling performance from the Bank of Scotland Premierleague champions against the club who have twice defeated them in the Scottish Cup.

Whether Lennon over-reacted to aid the Spaniard's dismissal or not, it was another flashpoint during his career in Scotland which seemed thoroughly unnecessary. The Celtic midfielder went on to produce an excellent, composed display following the 17th-minute clash but that is not what will be discussed in the build-up to Sunday's first Old Firm game of the season.

Ahead of that game, Celtic have injury problems which will concern Martin O'Neill. Juninho is set to arrive to augment their attacking options with a player of genuine creativity, but Chris Sutton is doubtful after injuring his hamstring in training on Saturday.

The same problem afflicted Stanislav Varga in the final minutes of this match and the two players are likely to have scans today to ascertain the extent of the damage. Jackie McNamara, meanwhile, was not included in the squad due to an ankle injury.

Sutton was replaced in the starting line-up by Henri Camara, making his full competitive debut, but he did little to justify the record (pounds) 1.5m loan fee paid to Wolves for his services. The Senegal internationalist did his best work outside of the penalty area and was less than lethal when chances presented themselves.

Inverness can take heart from a performance of endeavour and aggression, but the club's board would have been worried by the 8736 attendance. Graeme Bennett, their director of football, said before the season started they were looking for at least 10,000 at matches against the Old Firm to help balance the books of their groundshare agreement with Aberdeen.

The promising start Inverness had made to the game was rendered irrelevant by the events of the 17th minute. As the two players squared up while play continued, Lennon appeared to catch Juanjo. He responded by swinging an arm towards the Celtic midfielder, who held a hand to his face after tumbling to the turf.

Alan Freeland, the fourth official, summoned Dougie MacDonald, the referee, to report his version of events, the result of which was a red card for the Spaniard and no action against Lennon.

The Inverness fans were fired by the perceived injustice and booed Lennon's every touch for the remainder of the game, hardly a new experience for the player. John Robertson's players were similarly upset and Roy McBain was booked within a minute of the restart for a late challenge on Lennon.

Words of warning from

MacDonald cooled Robertson's heated protests in the technical area, although the Inverness manager's temperature would have risen on 25 minutes at the simple manner in which his side conceded the opener. Didier Agathe delivered a fine cross from wide on the right, something of a collector's item these days, and John Hartson glanced a header beyond Mark Brown's outstretched right hand and into the corner of the net.

It is to the immense credit of Inverness that, following two such significant setbacks, they did not fold but instead responded with increased determination. On 43 minutes, David Marshall, perhaps still haunted by his miserable Scotland debut, made a dismal attempt to punch clear Graeme Bayne's corner kick. The ball fell to Grant Munro, whose low strike struck Bobo Balde's arm as the Celtic defender lay on the turf. Penalty, decided

MacDonald and Barry Wilson converted the opportunity with calm authority.

Celtic attempted to increase the tempo of their play immediately after half-time with Camara heading a Hartson cross against the bar before the Welshman bulldozed through a challenge to draw an excellent save from Brown.

O'Neill's side were looking increasingly desperate in their bid to break down the Highlanders' defence until the 67th minute when Stuart Golabek handled as he challenged Hartson in the air to reach Ross Wallace's cross.

Celtic's turn for a spot-kick but Petrov's attempt was anticipated by Brown who pushed it clear with his defence scrambling the ball behind for a corner. Petrov's frustration, however, was short-lived. When Wallace's corner was helped on towards the angle of the penalty area, the Bulgarian took a touch to control before striking brilliant volley past Brown and into the net at his far post, making amends in the most thrilling fashion.

Celtic secured victory, and a two-point lead at the top of the table, on 76 minutes. Valgaeren ventured forward and his cross-turned-shot was haplessly pushed out by Brown to the feet of Hartson, who slotted his second goal of the game. It was a painful moment for the Inverness goalkeeper after his earlier heroics, although he was spared additional discomfort in the 88th minute when Thompson's free-kick struck the crossbar.