Barnes' bhoys best in Bray battle

A crowd of some 4,000 turned up at Tolka Park last night to run their eyes over John Barnes' new-look Celtic in this entertaining pre-season run-out. Barnes, for his troubles, suffered a nose bleed after accidentally receiving a ball full in the face from Tommy Johnson; but elsewhere the former England international had a trouble-free night.

Following his side's 5-0 demolition of Aberdeen on Sunday, it was merely a secondstring outfit that turned out. But there were some familiar names, including Irish Youths defender Colin Healy, who turned in an impressive display at right back.

This was certainly a chance for the likes of Craig Burley and Tommy Johnson to get back into the swing of things after long layoffs through injury.

But more importantly, for Bray manager Pat Devlin this provided the seasiders with some good competitive action prior to their UEFA Cup match against Grasshoppers Zurich on Thursday week.

And with the Swiss side's manager, Roy Hodgson, in attendance, Wanderers didn't shirk away from the challenge.

But an early goal put them on the back foot when a long clearance after seven minutes sent former Aston Villa striker Johnson in the clear and he made no mistake with a low drive. Bray, though, responded, with both Kieran O'Brien and Jason Byrne coming close.

Celtic, though, wrapped up the game with 13 minutes to go when Healy sent over a cross to Harald Brattbakk who beat John Walsh with a diving header.

BRAY: Walsh, Tresson, Fox, Doohan, Farrell, Keogh, Tierney, Kenny, Smyth, O'Brien, Byrne. Subs: Lynch for Tierney (54 mins); Power for Kenny (54 mins); O'Donoghue for Keogh (70 mins); Brien for Smyth (60 mins); D O'Connor for Fox (80 mins); Larkin for O'Brien (68 mins); B O'Connor for Byrne (80 mins).

CELTIC: Kharine, Healy, Stubbs, Mahe, McKinlay, Blinker, Burley, McColligan, Petta, Johnson, Brattbakk. Subs: McNamara for Blinker (half-time); Birchill for McColligan (halftime).

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).