“I thought our execution was the best it has been. It wasn’t difficult conditions but it was greasy out there and I thought our ball control was outstanding and our kick-chase was great.”

For Bradford, whose season continues to run hot and cold, the mood contrasted sharply with that following their shock win at competition leaders St Helens three weeks ago.

Andy Lynch, Michael Worrincy and Steve Menzies also claimed tries to keep the Bulls in contention but coach Steve McNamara had no complaints about the result.

McNamara said: “We were way off the pace and I’m not sure why. We didn’t have everyone singing off the same hymn sheet and that’s very disappointing for us.

“Credit to Celtic, they worked hard and I deserved the win, no two ways about it. It probably would have been an injustice if we’d snatched it, although we probably could have if we had concentrated from the final kick-off.

In yesterday’s other game, Harlequins beat Wakefield 24-17 at The Stoop.