Ross puts an end to Celtic run

CELTIC DUNFERMLINE 0 1 CELTIC’S title hopes suffereda shock setback as they slumped to defeat against SPL bottom club Dunfermline at Parkhead yesterday.

Defender Greg Ross earned the freedom of Fife with the only goal of the game in the 17th minute as the Pars ended a sevenlosing streak in sensational fashion.

Gordon Strachan’s Bhoys never got into their stride after Manchester United legend George Best was remembered with a tumultuous minute of applause.

The entertainment was sadly lacking early on with the unambitious visitors more than happy to sit back without committing a striker forward. Then, Dunfermline had theaudacity to snatch the lead in the 17th minute after the Celtic defence fell asleep.

Iain Campbell fired a freekick into the far side of the area and Andy Tod rose above Mo Camara to head the ball back across goal, where Rossreacted quickest to force it past Artur Boruc from just six yards.

Strachan said afterwards: ‘‘For the first half-hour, our style was not conducive to winning the game. When we changed it, we were far more of a threat but we left it too late and weren’t good enough or lucky enough to win.” MOTHERWELL 1 HEARTS 1 A LAST-MINUTE Paul Hartley penalty gave resilient Hearts a share of the spoils at Fir Park.

Brian McLean’s first goal for the Steelmen since arriving on loan from Rangers at the start of the season had looked enough to deny the Jambos. But McLean then turned villain when he brought down Andy Webster and Hartley gleefully slammed home the spot-kick.