It was a 1-0 win that deviated from routine only because the identity of the scorer remained something of a mystery. Olivier Ntcham was offically granted the only goal as this game closed but it was a night that could well have been sullied with a penalty in the last minutes of this encounter.

Nir Bitton's trip on Miles Storey in added time could well have made for a memorable debut for the Partick Thistle man, but referee Andrew Dallas waved away all protests from the Firhill side. It enabled Celtic to breathe a sigh of relief as their winning run continued, but it most certainly would have offered some food for thought.

Bitton at centre-half has been seen as the answer to the problems posed by Dedryck Boyata and Erik Sviatchenko's injury issues, but on this showing there might be something for Brendan Rodgers to think about prior to Wednesday night's game against Astana.

Still, even before Bitton's clumsy challenge in thee box this was a game that Celtic will have felt they should have put to bed long before the whistle went.

They created chances and got past Partick Thistle last night but it was a game that got stickier than it perhaps needed to be.

Ntcham's first-half volley took a deflection off Hoops skipper Scott Brown on its way into the net but it was the former Manchester City youth prospect who claimed the goal that was the difference between the sides.

A tight calf prevented Leigh Griffiths from taking his place in the starting line-up. The proximity to Wednesday night’s crucial game against Astana meant that there was little sense in risking Griffiths, currently the only fit striker at the club.

The striker was introduced to the fray in the final stages of the game to keep him ticking over but Rodgers’ revealed beforehand that the plan had been to get the striker a full 90 minutes under his belt before it became apparent that there was tightness in his calf.

It means a striking role for James Forrest with Callum McGregor supplementing just behind.

Stuart Armstrong found himself unable to get into the starting line-up, with the player's contract situation continuing to rumble on. Southampton have been linked with the player but Rodgers brushed it aside as simple transfer speculation.

Rodgers reiterated his belief that the player would be better served at Celtic for at lest another season but whether or nor that materialises remains to be seen.

Griffiths was not the only absentee, though, from the team who started against Kilmarnock mid-week. There were only two survivors – Craig Gordon and Kieran Tierney – but the momentum wasn’t disrupted in what was a purposeful and energetic beginning.

Scott Sinclair showed his pace on the flank before cutting inside and teeing up Forrest but his effort was parried by keeper Tomas Cerny. Forrest was at it again a couple of minutes later when he dragged a shot wide after breaking through but the early indications were that Celtic still had the bit between their teeth.

It was just beyond the midway point of the opening half when the pressure exerted by Rodgers’ side bore fruit. Bitton had a sizzling free-kick tipped over by Cerny but his save provided little more than a stay of execution.

Jonny Hayes’ corner fell to Ntcham on the edge of the box and the midfielder, Celtic’s most expensive signing in a decade, sent a rasping volley that nicked off Scott Brown and wrongfooted Cerny.

It was Ntcham who claimed the strike, his first for Celtic, and on early evidence that midfielder would look like a sound investment for the Parkhead side, particularly if Armstrong decides that his future lies elsewhere.

Thistle keeper Cerny had appealed that he was impeded by Brown on an offside position fell on deaf ears and, to be fair, it was a goal that had an air of inevitability about it.

From there on, Celtic were content to press to continue their control of the game without ever having to work too hard for it.

Thistle were not short on endeavour but found it difficult to lay a glove on Celtic, with Tierney and Sinclair in particular driving them back and penning them into their own half.

Sinclair, though, is still to find the ruthless form of last season. The Englishman has struggled to find the same level of sharpness. His exposure to game time suggests that he is up to speed in terms of his match fitness and perhaps the big stage will bring out the best in him. With Celtic set to spend the weekend preparing for a game that will define their season, there is a feeling that the senior players need to be ready to deliver.

The first leg in Glasgow on Wednesday night is the ideal chance for the Parkhead side to establish a sound footing in a tie that could lead them all the way back to the riches and prestige of the Champions League group stages.

This, then, was the final dress rehearsal for it.

Celtic re-emerged after the interval looking to add to their tally but by their own standards it was relatively sluggish.

It was Tierney, though, who almost found himself with a second goal in as many games when he burst forward from the left but he sent his shot just wide of the target.

For all their dominance, however, there was a moment for Thistle to regret when Kris Doolan, with both time and space, headed over the bar, serving a reminder that Celtic's lead was still of the slender variety, despite their grip of the game.

Tom Rogic and Griffiths were introduced midway through the second period as Celtic looked to put the game to bed.

The Aussie's first contribution of the night was an erratic effort from distance that sailed harmlessly wide.

Celtic could have paid for their failure to see off Thistle when Bitton was fortunate to escape sanction for that push on Storey in the box in added time.

The Parkhead side prevailed but the performance will need to come up a notch on Wednesday night.