Scottish giants Celtic claimed a narrow 2-1 victory over Peterborough United at London Road as Darren Ferguson gave the majority of his squad a work-out in muggy conditions on Friday night.

In front of the colourful visiting supporters in the Moyes End Terrace, Posh made some good early running and created one or two half chances in the opening 10 minutes with trialist Gnakpa forcing a smart save from Brown before Dean Keates scuffed a left-foot effort wide.

Youngster Jamie Day tested Brown on 14 minutes with a volley from distance after Keates' free-kick had been blocked by the Celtic wall. However, it was the visitors who opened the scoring on 19 minutes as a deep free-kick was knocked across goal by Vennegoor of Hesselink to Scott MACDONALD who fired the ball past Tyler expertly on the volley.

Posh drew level two minutes later as fine work from former Kettering Town front man Rene Howe caused problems for the Celtic back-line and as he pulled the ball back, MCLEAN crashed the ball into the back of the net for the first goal since his return from injury.

Gnakpa then crashed the upright with a fierce right-footed effort from close-range after Celtic struggled to deal with a Keates corner kick. Scott Brown cleared the roof of the London Road end with a wayward effort on 36 minutes after the ball fell kindly for the ex-Hibernian man.

On the stroke of half-time, O'Brien screwed a shot wide of the target before the Premier League official brought an end to the opening 45 minutes of action at London Road this pre-season.

Posh made 10 changes at the half-time interval with only Gnakpa surviving the management changes. Goalkeeper Jalal made a superb save from Hesselink five minutes after the re-start, the shot-stopper tipping the ball over the crossbar from point blank range.

The Scottish giants got their noses in front again on 53 minutes as Jim O'BRIEN placed a volley past Jalal and into the back of the net. It was a well-taken effort from the midfielder as he placed his effort into the far corner.

Claude Gnakpa was withdrawn due to injury just after the hour mark with youngster Sam Gaughran replacing him. Alfie Potter was inches away from connecting to an in-swinging Strachan cross as Posh tried to get back on level terms.

MacDonald had the ball in the back of the net on 63 minutes, but the offside flag cut short the wild celebrations amongst the Celtic masses. The visitors then made three substitutions with Paul Hartley, Chris Killen and former Chelsea man Jiri Jarosik introduced into the fray.

Boyd tested Brown with a 20-yard strike on 75 minutes, which the goalkeeper did well to hold with the ball swerving in the night air. Jalal then made a decent save from MacDonald at the other end as Celtic sensed a third goal was in the offing.

Defender Blackett was inches away from levelling the scores at 2-2 on 81 minutes after Celtic struggled to clear the danger from a corner with Boyd causing problems with his dancing feet.

All in all, it was a good workout for both teams as they prepare for life in the respective leagues.

Final Score: Peterborough United 1-2 Celtic

Posh first half: Tyler, Gnakpa, Lee, Charnock, Day, Hyde, Keates, Low, Whelpdale, McLean, Howe.

Posh second half: Jalal, Blackett, Branston, Newton, Gnakpa (sub Gaughran 63min), Strachan, Gain, Crow, Benjamin, Potter, Boyd.

Celtic: Brown, Naylor, S. Brown, Hesselink, Wilson, Pressley, Donati, MacDonald, Capone, McManus, O'Brien. Subs used: Hartley, Killen, Jarosik, Bjarnasson, Caddis.

Referee: Mr Atkinson