Celtic 1 Dunfermline 0
Martin O'Neill admitted that the winter break could not come soon enough - and that was all too apparent after the less-than-impressive Scottish Premier League champions grounded out a victory against Dunfermline today.
They had a first half goal by Henrik Larsson - his 29th of the season - to thank again for the points which keeps them a point behind SPL leaders Rangers.
But with just one game now at Aberdeen before the winter shutdown, Celtic's gruelling domestic and European schedule looked to have finally caught up with them.
The appearance of Johan Mjallby - who was making his first start since August - should have brought a spark from the Glasgow giants.
The visitors started boldly enough with three at the back and five in midfield, with Scotland striker Stevie Crawford playing deep behind Craig Brewster.
But both sides struggled to carve out any real opening early on and even the champions only had Alan Thompson's easily saved free-kick to show for their possession.
It was Dunfermline, however, who carved out the first good chance after 11 minutes.
Brewster flicked the ball on to Crawford and his shot was turned round the post by Magnus Hedman, who was in again for injured Robert Douglas.
Celtic were finding it hard to get their passing game going and Crawford again found space to fire a 25-yard shot over the crossbar moments later.
But the Glasgow side made the breakthrough with their first good chance of the game after 18 minutes.
Hartson and then Sutton flicked on Hedman's punt downfield and Larsson controlled the ball before clipping it past the advancing Derek Stillie.
In-form Hartson tried his luck with a 25-yard shot, but he failed to find the power to beat Stillie.
Dunfermline came back at them again and as two Celtic defenders went to head Walker's ball clear and it broke to Brewster, but his shot was comfortably saved by Hedman.
Celtic should have doubled their lead in the 34th minute when Bobo Balde out-jumped the Pars defence at the back post, but he headed Thompson's free-kick over the bar.
The Englishman then forced Stillie into make a good save, low to his right with an audacious 27-yard free-kick.
Celtic looked to kill the game off early in the second half and Balde almost got on the end of Thompson's free-kick, but Wilson headed the ball behind for a corner.
O'Neill also made a change in the 61st minute when Steve Guppy came on for Stilian Petrov with Thompson moving into the centre.
But at 1-0 Dunfermline still looked a threat on the counter attack with veteran Brewster calling the shots and Dempsey gave the home side a warning by firing wide after 68 minutes.
Hartson almost scored again in the 72nd minute when he rose above the Dunfermline defence to meet Guppy's corner, but his header was well saved by Stillie by his post.
But the visitors came within inches of snatching an equaliser in the 75th minute when Lee Bullen found himself on his own, but he fired just past the post from just outside the box.
O'Neill tried to liven up his side shortly after by taking off Hartson and bringing on Jackie McNamara, with Chris Sutton partnering Larsson in attack.
Pars goalkeeper Stillie would have been expecting a busier afternoon, but he had to make a good save from Thompson in the 80th minute.
The home side were not exactly hanging on at the end, but they were still relieved to hear Stuart Dougal's whistle at full-time.