| Match Pictures | Matches: 2002 – 2003 | 2002-2003 Pictures |
Trivia
- Celtic slipped four points behind Premier League leaders Rangers after being held to a draw by battling Kilmarnock.
Review
Celtic started positively and after five minutes Stilian Petrov hit a low drive from 22 yards after Henrik Larsson had knocked Chris Sutton's ball into his path, but Gordon Marshall made a comfortable save. The former Celtic goalkeeper was beaten two minutes later but saw Larsson's header deflected by Greg Shields and go behind off the post.
With 10 minutes gone Marshall managed to scramble away a close-range effort from Bobo Balde with the Celtic players claiming the ball had crossed the line.
Larsson squandered another chance soon after when he turned cleverly just six yards out but his shot lacked power and Marshall saved low to his right.
But Killie stunned everyone by snatching the lead with their first real chance of the game after 19 minutes. Shaun Dillon swung in a dangerous free-kick and McLaren's glancing header flew past the despairing dive of Robert Douglas and looped into the top corner of the net.
Larsson sent a curling free kick beyond Marshall, but James Fowler was alert enough Killie to head the ball over the bar to safety.
Celtic started the second half at a brisk pace and the Killie goal was soon under seige. Chris Sutton was guilty of mis-timing his jump just a few yards from goal and, with John Hartson also waiting to pounce, the ball struck the back of the Englishman's head and the danger was cleared.
Killie enjoyed a huge slice of luck after 63 minutes when a flashing Larsson shot struck the post and from the ensuing scramble Sutton also hit the woodwork.
But the home side's fortune did not last much longer and Celtic were on level terms three minutes later. A deep cross from Alan Thompson was headed back across goal by Hartson at the back post and Valgaeren was on hand to nod the ball into the net from close range.
Larsson grazed the outside of the post with a header from a corner as the Celtic onslaught continued.
Hartson sent a header sailing over the crossbar as Celtic pumped a series of high balls into the Killie penalty area in a desperate finale.
Teams
Kilmarnock:-
Marshall, Fowler, Innes, Shields, Dillon, Canero, Mahood, Fulton, Mitchell (Sanjuan 68), McSwegan (Boyd 74), McLaren (Dargo 89).
Subs not used:- Meldrum, Hay.
Goal:- McLaren 19.
Booked:- Mitchell.
Celtic:-
Douglas, McNamara, Valgaeren, Balde, Agathe, Lambert, Petrov (Guppy 77), Sutton, Thompson, Larsson, Hartson.
Subs not used:- Gould, Fernandez, Maloney, Crainey.
Goal:- Valgaeren 66.
Booked:- Thompson.
Att:- 9,225
Ref:- W Young.
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
- Match Report (BBC)
Pictures
Stats
| Kilmarnock | 1-1 | Celtic |
| 1 | Shots On Target | 6 |
| 4 | Shots Off Target | 8 |
| 13 | Fouls (Conceded) | 7 |
| 4 | Corners | 12 |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
Celtic held at Killie
BBC
Kilmarnock 1-1 Celtic
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Defending champions Celtic slipped four points behind Premier League leaders Rangers after being held to a draw by battling Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
The home side established a half-time lead courtesy of an Andy McLaren header, but Cetic defender Joos Valgaeren squared the game midway through the second period.
The visitors were on top for long spells in the game and the Killie goal led a charmed life at times.
The hard-earned point enables Kilmarnock to move one place up the table to sixth spot.
Celtic started positively and after five minutes Stilian Petrov hit a low drive from 22 yards after Henrik Larsson had knocked Chris Sutton's ball into his path, but Gordon Marshall made a comfortable save.
The former Celtic goalkeeper was beaten two minutes later but saw Larsson's header deflected by Greg Shields and go behind off the post.
With 10 minutes gone Marshall managed to scramble away a close-range effort from Bobo Balde with the Celtic players claiming the ball had crossed the line.
Larsson squandered another chance soon after when he turned cleverly just six yards out but his shot lacked power and Marshall saved low to his right.
But the home side stunned the champions by snatching the lead with their first real chance of the game after 19 minutes.
Shaun Dillon swung in a dangerous free-kick and McLaren's glancing header flew past the despairing dive of Robert Douglas and looped into the top corner of the net.
Larsson sent a curling free kick beyond Marshall, but James Fowler was alert enough Killie to head the ball over the bar to safety.
Celtic continued to press but Kilmarnock broke away with intent.
Again the visitors needed Jackie McNamara to block a goal-bound shot from McLaren after good work from Gary McSwegan.
Celtic started the second half at a brisk pace and the Killie goal was soon under seige.
Chris Sutton was guilty of mis-timing his jump just a few yards from goal and, with John Hartson also waiting to pounce, the ball struck the back of the Englishman's head and the danger was cleared.
Killie enjoyed a huge slice of luck after 63 minutes when a flashing Larsson shot struck the post and from the ensuing scramble Sutton also hit the woodwork.
Chris Sutton worries Gordon Marshall
Killie had to weather intense Celtic pressure
But the home side's fortune did not last much longer and Celtic were on level terms three minutes later.
A deep cross from Alan Thompson was headed back across goal by Hartson at the back post and Valgaeren was on hand to nod the ball into the net from close range.
Larsson grazed the outside of the post with a header from a corner as the Celtic onslaught continued.
Kilmarnock were hemmed into their own half for most of the game but a rare break saw Peter Canero test Douglas with a useful strike.
With 88 minutes gone Canero missed a glorious chance to steal a win for the home side when he fluffed his close range shot after ghosting in at the back post to connect with Steve Fulton's precise cross.
Hartson sent a header sailing over the crossbar as Celtic pumped a series of high balls into the Killie penalty area in a desperate finale.
Kilmarnock: Marshall, Fowler, Innes, Shields, Dillon, Canero, Mahood, Fulton, Mitchell (Sanjuan 68), McSwegan (Boyd 74), McLaren (Dargo 89).
Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Hay.
Booked: Mitchell.
Celtic: Douglas, McNamara, Valgaeren, Balde, Agathe, Lambert, Petrov (Guppy 77), Sutton, Thompson, Larsson, Hartson.
Subs Not Used: Gould, Fernandez, Maloney, Crainey.
Booked: Thompson. Attendance: 9,225.
Referee: W Young _