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Trivia
- Celtic concluded the festive fixtures by stretching their SPL lead to 17 points with victory against Kilmarnock.
- The match was marked by Steven Pressley's debut after signing from Hearts in the prior week….. Notably, also attention seemed to be focussed after the happenings where Captain Marvel Barry Ferguson at Rangers was dumped from the first team and removed of his captaincy, with him storming out claiming that was the last time he was playing for the club. Apologists in the press didn't half over dramatise and back him. Overall, comical, but in any case with Celtic first foremost and last we won, and who cares what happens with the animals from across the city.
Review
After three draws in their last four games, Celtic looked back in control at Parkhead as they inched further ahead in the Scottish Premier League as rivals Rangers leapt into second place with a win over 1-0 against Motherwell.
Kilmarnock were first to cause a stir in front of the goalmouth when, after six minutes, Dodds forced a decent save from keeper Artur Boruc with his left-footed effort.
However, Celtic soon asserted themselves with striker Craig Beattie – started his first SPL game of the season – coming close just before the quarter-hour mark.
Their dominance was finally rewarded with O'Dea's goal and left Kilmarnock lamenting over the waste of their best chance moments earlier. Gary Wales was the architect of an excellent counter-attacking move which saw the visitors move forward purposely in a four against two situation. Dodds picked up the ball and seemed to have beaten Boruc before watching his shot swerve right of the post.
Striker Derek Riordan was unlucky to hit the crossbar just before the hour mark, while Beattie hit wide from six yards out moments later.
Riordan was replaced soon after and it was left to substitute McGeady to wrap up the win, picked up a Nakamura pass and slipped the ball past keeper Graeme Smith in the 90th minute.
Teams
Celtic team (4-4-2):-
Boruc, Telfer, Pressley, O'Dea, Naylor, Nakamura, Lennon, Jarosik, Riordan (McGeady 72), Beattie (Vennegoor of Hesselink 65), Zurawski (Miller 90).
Subs Not Used:- Marshall, Sno, Gravesen, Lawson.
Goals:- O'Dea 39, McGeady 90.
Kilmarnock team:-
Smith, Fowler, Greer, Frazer Wright, Hay (Johnston 79), Ford, Grant Murray, Dodds (Naismith 71), Leven, Wales (Barrowman 79), Invincibile.
Subs Not Used:- Harpur, Stephen Murray, Adams, Campbell.
Booked:- Dodds.
Att:- 57,236
Ref:- S Conroy.
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
- Match Report
- Strachan happy with 'eerie' win. (BBC)
Pictures
KStreet
Stats
CELTIC – KILMARNOCK
Possession 64% – 36%
Shots on target 7 – 1
Shots off target 11 – 6
Corners 8 – 7
Fouls 9 – 15
Articles
Celtic 2-0 Kilmarnock
BBC
Celtic concluded the festive fixtures by stretching their SPL lead to 17 points with victory against Kilmarnock.
Darren O'Dea broke the deadlock in the 39th minute, hooking the ball into the net after the visitors failed to clear Shunsuke Nakamura's free-kick.
Kilmarnock, who have not won at Celtic Park since 1955, came closest when Rhian Dodds shot wide minutes earlier.
Substitute Aiden McGeady then sealed the victory in the dying moments, firing home from close range.
Interview: Celtic manager Gordon Strachan
Interview: Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies
After three draws in their last four games, Celtic looked back in control at Parkhead as they inched further ahead in the Scottish Premier League as rivals Rangers leapt into second place with a win over 1-0 against Motherwell.
The victory also marked a winning debut for new signing Steven Pressley, who went straight into the heart of defence in place of Stephen McManus who was rested.
Unsurprisingly, the former Hearts captain's first touch – a punt up the park after a minute – was cheered by the home fans.
But the visitors were first to cause a stir in front of the goalmouth when, after six minutes, Dodds forced a decent save from keeper Artur Boruc with his left-footed effort.
However, Celtic soon asserted themselves with striker Craig Beattie – started his first SPL game of the season – coming close just before the quarter-hour mark.
Their dominance was finally rewarded with O'Dea's goal and left Kilmarnock lamenting over the waste of their best chance moments earlier.
Gary Wales was the architect of an excellent counter-attacking move which saw the visitors move forward purposely in a four against two situation.
Dodds picked up the ball and seemed to have beaten Boruc before watching his shot swerve right of the post.
After the break, Celtic looked to consolidate their lead but struggled to find the right finish against a dogged Kilmarnock defence.
Striker Derek Riordan was unlucky to hit the crossbar just before the hour mark, while Beattie hit wide from six yards out moments later.
Riordan was replaced soon after and it was left to substitute McGeady to wrap up the win, picked up a Nakamura pass and slipped the ball past keeper Graeme Smith in the 90th minute.
Celtic: Boruc, Telfer, Pressley, O'Dea, Naylor, Nakamura, Lennon, Jarosik, Riordan (McGeady 72), Beattie (Vennegoor of Hesselink 65), Zurawski (Miller 90).
Subs Not Used: Marshall, Sno, Gravesen, Lawson.
Goals: O'Dea 39, McGeady 90.
Kilmarnock: Smith, Fowler, Greer, Frazer Wright, Hay (Johnston 79), Ford, Grant Murray, Dodds (Naismith 71), Leven, Wales (Barrowman 79), Invincibile.
Subs Not Used: Harpur, Stephen Murray, Adams, Campbell.
Booked: Dodds.
Att: 57,236
Ref: S Conroy (Scotland).
Strachan happy with 'eerie' win
Gordon Strachan
Strachan was happy to have picked up another three points
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan was happy to have crossed the finish line with another three points against Killie inside a quiet Celtic Park.
"We got there eventually but in the first half there was an eerie atmosphere about the place and that surprised me," he said.
"I don't know why it is, there could be a number of reasons for that and we will have to look at it.
"I think it was down to us as well, we didn't get the ball in the box enough."
Goals from Darren O' Dea and Aiden McGeady sealed it for Celtic as Steven Pressley made his debut and Strachan was pleased with the former Hearts captain's performance.
"He has done well because he hasn't played for five or six weeks," Strachan added.
"He was a bit rusty in the first 10 or 15 minutes but stayed with it and got better. I was delighted to see him playing."
Meanwhile, new signing Steven Pressley, welcomed the opportunity to impress the Celtic fans on his debut.
"I was thrown in earlier than possibly I would have expected," said the former Hearts captain.
"But due to injuries the manager had no option.
"I have only had two days training in the last five weeks so it wasn't ideal, but the only way you are going to get yourself match-fit is by playing games."
And ex-Ranger Pressley admitted he was grateful to be cheered by the home supporters.
"The fans gave me a very nice reception and I was delighted with that.
"I just hope that I can win them over by my performances in the weeks and months ahead," he added.
"You are expected to win games and you have to win games."