Swedish striker Henrik Larsson produced the spark to put Celtic back on track as they came from behind to beat Dunfermline 3-1 at Parkhead.

Larsson scored a wonderful goal to put his flagging side on course for the points but not even he was at his best as Martin O' Neill's side spluttered to victory.

After a 5-1 drubbing at Rangers last Sunday and a disappointing display at Hibernian in midweek, they were given another test of their championship credentials when Jason Dair scored after just 50 seconds.

But O'Neill's men battled back with goals from Lubo Moravcik, Larsson and Tommy Johnson to secure the points and give the manager more time to hunt for reinforcements which are badly needed to inject some life into the side.

Larsson summed up Celtic's uninspired display when he squandered a penalty late on but they need to be given credit after coming back from the worst possible start.

Dair found space in the left before he hit a hopeful right-foot effort which took a deflection off Didier Agathe before curling past the outstretched hand of Robert Douglas and into the bottom corner.

But the reaction from Celtic was immediate and in the third minute Alan Thompson picked out Johnson in the box, but the striker headed just wide.

Dunfermline were warned and in the eighth minute the home side were on level terms when Johnson found Stilian Petrov, who pulled the ball back from the by-line for Moravcik to shoot home from close range.

Celtic continued to trouble the Pars defence on the attack, particularly with the pace of wing men Agathe and Bobby Petta.

Both Robert Matthaei and Barry Nicholson were booked for desperate challenges and the Pars were lucky to survive penalty claims in the 18th minute when Justin Skinner handled Agathe's drive in the area.

But justice was done in the 21st minute when Larsson capitalised on some hesitation from Skinner in the box.

He dispossessed him before sliding the ball home through the legs of Marco Ruitenbeek for his 23rd goal of the season.

The home side looked to put the game out reach by the break and Johnson took Thompson's through-ball in his stride, but blazed over the crossbar.

The Celtic fans seemed subdued at times, but Johnson almost brought them to life with a fierce free-kick which flashed just past the upright.

But Dunfermline were lucky to be still in the game as Celtic squandered two glorious chances in the space of two minutes.

In the 32nd minute Petrov did well to pull the ball back from the by-line for Larsson, who produced a wonderful drag-back to leave Andrius Skerla bemused, but the Swede somehow curled his effort just wide.

Minutes later and Johnson was the culprit when he beat the offside trap to take Larsson's through-ball in his stride.

But, after rounding the keeper, his effort was poor and Scott Thomson got back to clear off the line.

The crowd made their feelings known as they began grow more anxious for another goal.

But Celtic created their first good chance of the second period in the 68th minute but Petrov and Johnson seemed to get each others way and the chance went begging.

Larsson again tried to conjure up something special moments later, but his effort from the edge of the box was comfortably saved by Ruitenbeek.

Celtic, however, were caught napping again in the 73rd minute when Thomson found Nicholson in acres of space and he drilled the ball across the face of goal but Steve Crawford was unable to sneak the ball home at the far post.

Moravcik was forced to make way for Jackie McNamara in the 75th minute as they looked to at least hang on for the points.

But Celtic were fortunate to be awarded a penalty in the 79th minute when Petta went down under the challenge of Lee Bullen - sparking outrage among the visiting players.

But with the opportunity to ease the nerves, the usually cool Larsson watched as Ruitenbeek saved his effort at full stretch to his left.

The home side did not let that faze them, however, an from the resulting corner Johnson bundled Thompson's corner over the line to give his side the victory.

The win buys O'Neill more time to search for new players - with Rangers now 16 points behind with three games in hand.