It is probably just as well that their place in the Champions League is all but secure as this was less than inspiring stuff from the Parkhead side ahead of their qualifier against MTK Hungaria in a few days time.

Goals from Paul Lambert and Alan Thompson secured the win for Celtic, despite James Grady’s leveller and a battling display from Thistle lasting right up to the final whistle.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill had made much of the fact that he would have to rotate his starting 11 on a regular basis to cope with their heavy fixture schedule after being told no money would be made available to spend on new players.

And – despite last week’s thrashing of Dundee United – there were more changes today with the senior midfield duo of Neil Lennon and Lambert back in the starting line-up and first-choice goalkeeper Rob Douglas reclaiming his place between the sticks.

Those changes seemed to be an inspired move by O’Neill when Lambert opened the scoring for the Parkhead side with only eight minutes on the clock.

Stilian Petrov was the provider, supplying a pass from the right wing which Lambert collected 16 yards out and converted into a thunderous shot which goalkeeper Jakup Mikkelsen blocked – but allowed the ball to slip under him and roll across the line.

The home side stunned Celtic after 25 minutes when they drew level through James Grady. Jean-Yves Anis’ cross was met by Gerry Britton and he supplied the ball for Grady to slot past Douglas for the equaliser.

The diminutive striker could have grabbed a second goal just two minutes later but Stanislav Varga managed to intercept before Grady could meet Anis’ pass and the opportunity was lost.

Celtic’s second goal came courtesy of the penalty spot after Ian Ross collided with Petrov at the far post and referee Kenny Clark immediately pointed to the spot.

Thompson stepped up for the pressure kick and he left Mikkelsen with no chance when he blasted the ball home from 12 yards three minutes before the interval.

Partick started the second half determined to haul themselves into the game again and it was the home side who enjoyed much of the possession after the restart.

Their only problem was that they were struggling to carve out clear-cut chances in front of goal.

Grady could have put the Hoops under pressure when he found himself with the ball just outside the area but Varga used his power and height to dispossess the striker and clear the danger before Grady could pull the trigger.

Celtic should have added to their lead when Larsson shrugged off the challenge of Derek Whyte before trying a shot at goal but he found himself under pressure from Grant Murray and sent the effort just wide.

The visitors were temporarily reduced to 10 men when Valgaeren appeared to pull a muscle and left the pitch – but Partick could not take advantage of the gap in the Celtic defence before the Belgian was replaced by Liam Miller.

He was scarcely on the pitch when he called Mikkelsen into action but, again, the keeper managed to smother the ball.

Miller then turned provider when he tried to square the ball into the path of Petrov but Eddie Forrest was vigilant enough to clear for a corner before the Bulgarian could connect just a few yards from goal.

McBride had been replaced by Jamie Mitchell but the Celtic connection continued when Andy Thomson made way for Stephen Bonnes – who had failed to break into the first team during four years at Parkhead.

He had the Celtic fans screaming with fury when he went down easily under a Varga challenge, prompting the already-booked Thomson to square up to him but the Englishman escaped further punishment from the referee.

Larsson was still keen to add his name to the scoresheet and he had the opportunity to net a late goal when he met Thompson’s corner only to nod wide with just two minutes remaining.

Partick could have snatched a point right at the end when a Mitchell corner sparked a scramble in the box but Douglas managed to smother the ball before a red and yellow jersey could poke the ball over the line.