By: Mark Henderson on 20 Dec, 2011 14:04

MO Bangura bagged brace as a Celtic XI beat Morton 3-1 in a bounce game at Lennoxtown on Tuesday afternoon.

The Sierra Leonean struck both his goals in the first half, with two close-range finishes before exiting the action shortly before the hour-mark.

David O’Brien replied for the visitors but the Hoops sealed the victory in the closing stages when Paul George headed home after Tony Watt´s effort had been beaten away.

It was a match which proved a useful exercise for the watching Neil Lennon, with Emilio Izaguirre and Kelvin Wilson both getting a full 90 minutes under their belts as they continued their recovery to full fitness following injury.

Bangura struck his first in the 22nd minute, finishing from close range from Izaguirre’s cutback.

Filip Twardzik had chance to double Celtic’s advantage shortly after, but fired wide after being supplied by Andre Blackman.

Minutes before half-time, Bangura doubled the hosts’ advantage, flicking home at the near post after good work from Paul George

Morton produced an instant response to reduce the deficit before the interval but Kelvin Wilson still had time to hit the bar before the half-time whistle sounded.

After the break, Celtic continued to creates plenty of chances and hit the woodwork twice through efforts from James Keatings and Tony Watt.

And their efforts were finally rewarded in the final 10 minutes as Watt´s low drive was saved by the keeper but headed into the net by George.

CELTIC (4-4-2) Feely; Fisher (Jones) Toshney, K Wilson, Izaguirre; George, McGeouch, F Twardzik (Irvine), Blackman; Bangura (Watt) Keatings (McGregor)