Kilmarmock 1-4 Champions

A relaxed Celtic played some fantastic football and came away with an emphatic win at Rugby Park. This was the Champions 10th straight SPL victory and their 11th in all competitions. Celtic also haven't dropped a single point away from home in 2006. Strachan made a few changes to the side that had rapped up Celtic's earliest Championship win the previous Wednesday since Jock Stein's all conquering team in 1970. Marshall made his first start since last July at Motherwell in place of Boruc in goals and Varga replaced Balde, who will now have an operation to solve a painful stomach injury and will miss the rest of the season. McGeady also got his first start since he has recovered from a hamstring injury, with Zurawski making way.

Celtic started in a confident manner and went ahead after only eight minutes. Nakamura was brought down 22 yards from goal by Naismith and the Japanese star brushed himself off before sending a beautiful curling left-footed shot over the wall and inside the near post beyond Combe's left hand.

Celtic were playing with a swagger and this was emphaised by the sensational skills of Aiden McGeady as he tore the Kilmarnock full back apart. If he can perfect his final ball we will have a gem in our hands. Nakamura, Maloney and Paul Telfer also took turns to show moments of magic and trickery as Celtic dominated the game.

However Celtic's dominance was almost cancelled out just before the break when Gary Wales took a clever quick free-kick that sent Naismith clear on goal, but the striker was pulled up for offside after slipping the ball into the corner of the net. Naismith was clearly several yards onside, but the lucky break was no more than Celtic deserved as it would have been cruel for Celtic not have lead at the interval.


Celtic were starting to take liberties and were getting a bit sloppy at the back. Naismith beat Marshall to a long ball to the edge of the box, only for his toe-poke to slip just wide of the far post and then minutes later the same player pounced on more hesitation from Stephen McManus but fired narrowly wide.

Celtic made Killie pay moments later when Hartson turned the ball home after Maloney's low cross was palmed clear by goalkeeper Alan Combe. It was a great move, and was a typical Hartson finish as he was yet again at the right place at the right time.

Kilmarnock were still creating chances and forced Marshall into a great save at point-blank range to deny Wales, then Danny Invincibile lofted the ball over the goalkeeper but just wide seconds later.

Celtic then raised their game and stretched their lead with a phenominal goal. Wilson chased a lost cause and kept the ball in play and about 20 passes later the ball was in the back of the net. The move ended with Dublin flicking the ball beautifully to Nakamura who skint the last defender before placing the ball beyond Combe in the Kilmarnock goal for a sublime goal. It was football played the Celtic way.

After another fine move, Maloney played a pass Ronaldinho would have been proud of to split open the defence yet again and Dublin finished it at a canter. Kilmarnock scored a consolation at the death to prevent Marshall keeping his clean sheet but the game was well won by this stage. The victory saw Celtic retain their lead at the top of the table to 20 points and the magnificent 100 points barrier is still within our reach.

Kilmarnock: Combe, Wilson, Hay, Wright, Ford, Fowler, Johnston, Naismith, Invincibile, Wales (Di Giacomo 70), Nish.

Subs Not Used: Smith, Greer, McDonald, Locke, Campbell, Bell.


Celtic (4-3-3):

Marshall

Telfer Varga McManus Wilson

Nakamura Lennon(Lawson 85) Petrov(Pearson 66)

McGeady...........................Maloney
...............Hartson(Dublin 75)

Subs Not Used: McGovern, Thompson, Camara, Wallace.


Attendance: 10,978

Referee: C Thomson