Killie took on the champ's elect, and certainly did not look intimidated,
however lady-luck was not on their side, losing to an injury time
title-winning free kick from Nakamura.
The visitors began brightly, with both Paul Hartley and Derek Riordan
going close with strikes from distance.
Killie hit back with a shot from Nish and a Wales header was knocked
off the line by Riordan, although Artur Boruc looked perfectly placed to
save.
Celtic went ahead when Vennegoor of Hesselink rose highest in a
congested penalty box to glance in a corner from Nakamura.
Peter Leven squandered a great chance to level immediately when he
sent a free header over the top from seven yards.
Celtic skipper Neil Lennon then threatened a rare goal but Killie
keeper Alan Combe got fingertips to his fierce 25-yard shot.
High crosses continued to cause problems for both sides and Vennegoor
of Hesselink flashed a header wide before Steven Pressley's powerful nod
was kept out by Combe.
Right on half-time, home striker Steven Naismith was given a clear
sight of goal a few yards out but tentatively poked at the ball,
allowing Boruc to save. Celtic were claiming for a penalty early in the
second half when a Thomas Gravesen shot was deflected off-course by the
arm of Grant Murray.
Having enjoyed that let-off, Kilmarnock raced up the park and
equalised.
Gary Wales did well to skip past Darren O'Dea and get to the by-line
and, with Boruc covering his near post, his inviting cut-back was tucked
into an empty net by the lurking Colin Nish.
Naismith then found room in the Celtic penalty area but Boruc got
down well to block the striker's shot and Wales sent a curling effort
narrowly wide from 18 yards.
Celtic replied with a drilled dig from Nakamura that Combe did well
to hold and Riordan skewed a shot wide after a penalty box scramble.
With 89 minutes on the clock, the ball broke to Riordan on the angle
of the six yard box but the Celtic forward blazed the ball high and
wide.
However, Nakamura had the last say when he curled a sweet strike
round the defensive wall and beyond the stranded Combe, in the 92nd min
to rob Killie of a deserved point.
Sandy's Match Pic's are
HERE
49 mins
