The Rugby Park side still hasn’t won at Parkhead since December 1955, and Celtic
are the only SPL club that Killie haven’t beaten since Jim Jefferies was
appointed manager in February 2002.
Celtic looked eager to put on a good show and made a whirlwind start,
with Pat McCourt, Samaras and Scott McDonald all looking lively.
The Australian striker tested Bell in the Kilmarnock goal within the
first 60 seconds with an opportune flick off Andreas Hinkel's cross.
And Celtic's sustained pressure paid off on 13 minutes as they got
their first goal in four games at home.
McCourt drove inside from the left, his shot was deflected across the
box to McGeady, who jinked past Craig Bryson to lash a fierce shot in
off the far post from a tight angle.
McCourt made Bell save low soon afterwards then ran past three
players before sending another shot two yards wide.
Bell, making just his third appearance of the season, was alert to
produce a fine reflex save when McDonald diverted Samaras' pacy cross
goal-ward from close range.
But it wasn't long before the keeper was beaten again with a
wonderful move on 32 minutes that culminated in Hinkel picking out
Samaras in the box and the Greek striker powered a header high into the
net from nine yards.
Just before half-time, Kilmarnock's Kyle had a wonderful chance to
get his team back in the game.
However, the big striker was badly off target with his header despite
being just three yards from goal.
Killie looked more confident at the resumption of play after they had
made two changes and reverted to a more familiar 4-4-2 formation.
Kyle was presented with two more free headers but could not keep
either effort down.
The home side were unable dominate as they did in the first half,
although McGeady made Bell stop well with a low shot from the edge of
the box before the Republic of Ireland winger was booked for simulation.
Jamie Hamill tried his luck from outside the box for Killie. But,
after nutmegging Landry N'Guemo beautifully, his shot was wayward.
But Celtic got the crucial third goal with a fine strike by McGinn
that sped past Bell from just inside the box and Zheng Zhi and Samaras
both had efforts cleared off the line in the closing stages.
Sandy's Match Pic's are
HERE
