With the match between Ness and Whitedale postponed, Celtic knew a win against Scalloway would put them equal on points with the two sides in second position in the league.
However they would have to do it without key forwards Connor Regan, who unfortunately ruptured his Achilles the night before, and Kennedy Moar, Brendan Johnson and Shay Regan who were all away. Scalloway on the other hand, had another strong squad out as they looked to bounce back from heavy defeats to Ness and Spurs.
After pressing forward from the first whistle, it was Celtic that had the first chance of the match when James Aitken got in behind and his cutback was sent goal-wards by a Scalloway heel but Ian Hannah was in the right place at the right time.
Scalloway were always a threat on the break and could easy have gone ahead when young Jack Fitzsimmons’ shot was saved and Glaser managed to get across to save John Allan’s rebound.
At the other end, Lewis Spence and Joel Bradley both had chances at corners and Aitken stung the fingertips of Hannah after the ball bounced wide from another corner for the home side.
It was however Scalloway who opened the scoring midway through the half. Euan Uttley won back possession in midfield and scooped a lovely ball into the path of Fitzsimmons who slotted under the onrushing Glaser.
Celtic continued to press and were rewarded just before half time. From a Scalloway corner, the ball was cleared to Aitken, who turned his defender and drilled a ball over the top for the pacey Shane Odie who, after a mix-up between defender and goalkeeper, was able to tap into the empty net.
The home side’s confidence was dashed going into the second half with the experienced Jack Clubb and Joel Bradley both being forced off with injury. Scalloway also brought on the fresh legs of Aaron Leask as both teams looked to secure the three points.
The match turned into a very scrappy affair with neither team able to string together any sort of flowing attacks. Scalloway did have a header cleared off the line from a corner and at the other end, Moncrieff’s shot flew just over after finding himself free at the back post.
Substitute Leask then had a great chance after Glaser saved from range but the forward couldn’t get the ball under control at the crucial time.
With the match petering out for a disappointing draw, Celtic mustered one last chance from a corner. After the original ball in was cleared wide, Moncrieff sent in an inviting cross which was met by the head of Robert Smith who made no mistake from close range.
Celtic managed to hold out the closing minutes to secure the 2-1 win and move into their 2 week inter-county break having closed the gap at the top. Best on the night for the home side were substitutes Matthew Murray and Tom Moncrieff while Fitzsimmons was a handful for the away side.
CELTIC TEAM: K Glaser, J Bradley (M Murray), J Simpson, R Smith, B Buggy, E Smith (A Graham), J Clubb (T Moncrieff), S Sim, L Spence, J Aitken, S Odie