Peter Beardsley came home to a hero's welcome as the Geordie faithful turned out in force to honour a Tyneside legend.

Celtic arrived fully prepared to join in the party - but not before showing the English exactly what they can do.

So while a capacity crowd paid their respects to the man of the moment, a competitive first half unfolded before the festivities began in earnest.

An own-goal from Blackburn defender Darren Peacock, who deflected Henrik Larsson's header past Shaka Hislop, gave the visitors a fourth-minute lead.

A beautiful, curling shot from Lubomir Moravcik made it two with 23 minutes gone, but on a night when the result was immaterial, there were several interesting contests.

Manchester United striker Andy Cole found Alan Stubbs a combative opponent, but it was Middlesbrough midfielder Paul Gascoigne who caught the eye with a delightful cameo role.

As for Beardsley, there were flashes of the form which made him a favourite at St James'. Tommy Boyd just denied him after Cole held the ball up well, and Jonathan Gould saved an injury time snapshot from the edge of the area.

The action continued after the break with Select 'keeper Pavel Srnicek pulling off good stops from the lively Larsson and then Simon Donnelly.

And with 53 minutes gone, the first concerted chant for former Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan to make an appearance went around the ground.

But it was the Dalglish family, in the shape of father Kenny and son Paul, who took the field to warm applause 14 minutes later.

Dalglish Junior was first to get the bit between his teeth, forcing a good save from substitute 'keeper Tony Warner with a solid drive, but the Select side had the woodwork to thank with 75 minutes gone after Donnelly lobbed Srnicek.

Dalglish Senior showed he still remembers what to do in front of goal with a shot which ran just wide a minute later, and the applause was still ringing around the ground when Keegan made his eagerly-anticipated entrance.

Warner saved a Steve Watson header five minutes from time, but Mark Burchill made it three in the closing stages.

But like all good stories, this one had a happy ending - eventually.

Alan Shearer was clattered to the floor inside the box, and Beardsley stepped up to take the penalty.

His first effort flew high over the bar, but referee Alan Wilkie ordered the kick to be retaken, and he made no mistake second time around.