Frail joy as title triumph gets closer

Stevie Frail was delighted by his side's performance to beat Hibs today to move to a point away from clinching the championship.

Goals from James Keatings and Greig Spence put a smile on the coach's face with just one point required from the last two matches against Aberdeen and Hearts to put the title beyond Rangers.

"We're getting close to winning the league and that can get nervy," Frail said. "I though that we were terrific today, especially in the first half.

"They passed and moved the ball well, scored a good goal and there didn't seem to be any tension in their play.

"We got the second goal at a good time and looked comfortable after that. 

"The players were told to look only at this game, take each game on it's merit and not be sidetracked. If they play as they can and work as we ask them to then there should be no problems."

Keatings spectacular goal in the 28th minute killed off any nagging fears of a frustrating afternoon in front of goal.

During the first part of the season Keatings was used mainly on the wing but has moved inside in recent months with Sean Fitzharris taking over out wide.

Frail explained: "James has scored a few good goals this season, he got a top class goal down at Kilmarnock.

"He played well earlier in the season coming in off the wing, he was hard to pick up. At times we've had to put him in the middle and he's did well there in recent matches especially against Livingston and Rangers. 

"We're always at him to shoot but at the right times. Sometimes he pulls the trigger when he's not set and skies it but today he took a touch in the middle of the park, opened up his body, looked to shoot and struck it well and their 'keeper couldn't reach it."

Spence scored for the seveth game running with the former Alloa striker visibly growing in confidence game by game.

As well as having the priceless knack of anticipating where the ball will drop in the penalty area the striker has developed the art of getting himself in front of defenders and turning quickly despite taking some hefty 'treatment' from opponents.

"Long may Greig's scoring run continue," Frail added. "He led the line very well today and is a nuisance for defenders. He's gaining in confidence with every game.

"That's not just from his goals but from his performance against Rangers which was arguably his best game for us."

Celtic 2-0 Hibs match report