A brief interlude in an otherwise exciting race for the title arrived in West Lothian yesterday, the collection of three points and goals for each of his main strikers the only positives Gordon Strachan could take from an affair that was every bit the non-event it was expected to be.
A mere 3,561 supporters turned out for the latest sorry chapter in Gretna's demise, the lowest ever attendance for an SPL match involving Celtic, at a venue which is 100 miles from the administration-hit club's home.
Raydale Park, Gretna's own ground, does not meet league criteria and the unplayable state of Fir Park, where they have been tenants this season, ensured this encounter had to be hosted in Livingston; the Celtic players apparently thought little of the inconvenience, scoring three times without reply while never moving out of first gear.
The contrast to what Strachan's men will face next could not be more striking, with the champions due at Ibrox on Saturday for an eagerly anticipated second Old Firm derby of the season. Three points behind their city rivals but two goals better off, Celtic will return to the top of the table if they win at the home of their old foes, though Rangers have a game in hand.
"The display wasn't great but the result was very good," said Strachan, who felt his side returned a more impressive performance during Tuesday's Scottish Cup defeat by Aberdeen.
Scott McDonald brightened up what had been an otherwise stale first half with his 26th goal of the season, side-footing Celtic in front from close range. Gretna were actually enjoying their finest period of the game and Nicky Deverdics passed up a glorious chance to restore parity moments before Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink effectively settled matters with a header from Aiden McGeady's superb cross.
McGeady was again the supplier for Celtic's late third, this time a low pass finding the substitute Georgios Samaras, who stabbed home.
"In terms of effort I thought the players were superb," said Mick Wadsworth, the Gretna interim manager, whose club are alive only through an advance of money from the league last week. "I thought the club could hit the wall on Friday."
Wadsworth also rightly bemoaned the absence of "common sense" after the authorities insisted fans could not buy tickets on the day at Almondvale.
Man of the match: Aiden McGeady (Celtic)