Killie manager Jim Jefferies brought in Ryan O'Leary for the injured
David Lilley in defence.
Celtic defender Lee Naylor recovered from a virus to take his place
at left-back, midfielder Jiri Jarosik got a rare SPL start with Massimo
Donati dropping to the bench.
The visitors went close to taking the lead after two minutes when
Scott Brown danced past a few challenges and McDonald latched onto his
pass, but his shot struck the post.
Kilmarnock goalkeeper Alan Combe then produced a good save from
McGeady's 18-yard shot.
Regular stoppages for free-kicks disrupted the flow of the game, with
both sides struggling for fluency.
McDonald gave Celtic the lead after 33 minutes when he collected
Vennegoor of Hesselink's headed flick-on and sent a right-foot shot past
Combe.
The
Australian striker doubled his and Celtic's tally a minute later when he
headed home Aiden McGeady's cross from inside the six-yard box.
Kilmarnock reduced the deficit 10 minutes after the break when
Fraser Wright headed home Gary Locke's free-kick - with Boruc
flapping at the cross.
The Polish goalkeeper redeemed himself with half an hour to go when
he superbly saved Colin Nish's shot from inside the 18-yard box.
Kilmarnock grew in stature after Wright's goal as Celtic's defence
looked far from convincing.
Stephen McManus threw himself to block a goal-bound drive by Nish as
the hosts pressed for an equaliser.
Both sides were keen to commit more players in attack as the game
opened up in the final 15 minutes.
Jarosik spurned a great chance to seal the points when he scooped the
ball over the bar from six yards from Hartley's free-kick.
McGeady did little to ease Celtic nerves after 89 minutes when he
shot wide after a superb pass from McDonald.
Despite Kilmarnock 's spirited fightback in the second-half Celtic
held on for the win.
Sandy's Match Pic's are
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