Celtic close gap on Rangers

Celtic defeated Dunfermline Athletic 2-1 at home on Wednesday, closing the gap on Scottish Premier League leaders Rangers to seven points.

The home side were in charge early in the match at Celtic Park, where Gary Hooper opened the scoring just five minutes from kick-off.

Former Scunthorpe striker Hooper seized on a loose ball from Paul Willis, bursting beyond the defence before sliding a shot past Dunfermline goalkeeper Paul Gallagher.

Just eight minutes later and it was 2-0, with some slack football from Dunfermline again to blame.

Defender Alex Keddie gifted possession to the hosts, who broke quickly, and Kris Commons put through Anthony Stokes inside the Dunfermline box.

Gallagher did well to keep out the first shot from Stokes, but Hooper collected the rebound, setting up James Forrest to score from eight yards.

Celtic pressed in search of a third, as Beram Kayal and Stokes were both denied by the in-form Gallagher.

They passed up the simplest chance in the 53rd minute.

Dunfermline defender Paul Burns felled Forrest inside the box, but South Korea international Ki Sung-Yueng sent his penalty wide of goal.

Despite their best efforts, a third goal for Celtic never arrived.

And when Andrew Barrowman pulled one back for the visitors with four minutes remaining, the home fans were forced to endure a nervy conclusion.

But Celtic saw out the time remaining to record their third victory in succession and move within five points of defending champions Rangers.

Dunfermline stay 10th, two places and one point clear of the relegation zone.