Kilmarnock 0 - 5 Celtic
(SPL Under 21 match - Rugby Park, 2nd February 2004, 7.00pm Kick Off)

It was a miserable night for Killie with a strong Celtic team hammering five past us in a match played throughout in torrential rain. With the first team squad sunning themselves in Barcelona Killie's starting eleven was made up of youngsters plus guys like Dillon, Mahood and Dargo coming back from injury.

Killie also fielded two trialists - a full back and a midfielder - but I've no idea of their identities. The midfielder was called Peter I think and may be the same guy who played at Hibs last week. The right back may have been Gordon or Jordan, but again I'm not so sure.

Celtic boss Martin O'Neill took his seat after five minutes and he had already missed the first goal. Lambert gained possession 20 yards out, strode past a weak challenge and fired low into the corner from 10 yards.

Killie huffed and puffed but never created anything clear cut whilst Celtic controlled midfield with Sylla causing lots of problems in his wide right role. Seven minutes from half time the visitors doubled the lead with Beattie being the architect. He sprung the offside trap and ran 50 yards before squaring for Maloney to slide home from inside the six yard box.

The second half saw the visitors on top again and the third goal arrived in 55 minutes. A Maloney free kick from the right was deflected on to the head of McBride who nodded home from 6 yards.

Lawson almost got on the score sheet in 69 minutes but his 20 yard shot was superbly turned over by Smith. killie's best chance of the night came in 71 minutes when Naismith was fouled inside the box by McManus but the referee ignored the Killie appeals.

Celtic sealed the victory with Beattie scoring in 80 minutes then substitute Quinn rounded off the scoring in the last minute. The linesman had flagged or offside but the referee overruled him and the goal stood.

Killie were well humped but were best served by Dillon and Dargo who worked hard although getting little or no good service. Sylla, Maloney and Beattie were best for Celtic in a match they pretty much dominated for 90 minutes.

Kilmarnock: Smith, Trialist, Dillon, McGregor, Hamill, Canning, Mahood (Masterton 62), Naismith (Boyle 75), Gilroy, Dargo, Trialist (Johnstone 82)
Subs (not used): Bell, Cochrane

Celtic: Marshall, Valgaeren (Irvine 75), Laurson, Lambert, McManus, McBride (McGeady 66), Sylla, Lawson, Beattie, Maloney (Quinn 64), Wallace
Subs (not used): McGovern, Low

Match Report © Sandy Armour