Killie FC struggle against Celtic

Nov 6 2009 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

KILLIE’S misery in the east end of Glasgow continued as they lost out to Celtic in a match in which they never really got going.

And, but for young goalkeeper Cameron Bell, the final score might have been a whole lot worse.

No doubt still smarting from their midweek CIS League Cup defeat at the hands of Hearts, Tony Mowbray’s side were always going to be a bit of a handful as they tried to appease their supporters with a decent result, and that’s exactly what they delivered.

It was the unlucky 13th minute when the home side struck with their first goal, Aiden McGeady collecting a Paddy McCourt pass and sidestepping Craig Bryson before firing the ball into the net from a tight angle off the post.

The under-fire Georgios Samaras then set up an opportunity for Scott McDonald but the Aussie was denied by Bell who pulled off a stunning save.

Killie were a bit under the cosh at this stage and the second Celtic goal eventually arrived on 31 minutes.

Andreas Hinkel’s cross fell plumb on the head of Samaras, and the unmarked big Greek striker bulleted a header into the Killie net.

Skipper Kevin Kyle had a chance to pull a goal back for his side just before the break but his header from six yards was off target.

After the break, manager Jim Jefferies replaced Danny Invincibile with Garry Hay and Conor Sammon with David Fernandez in a bid to get Killie going, and Kyle had another couple of opportunities as his physical presence made life difficult for the Celtic defensive pairing of Gary Caldwell and Glenn Loovens.

The early part of the second half was probably Killie’s best period in the match but they just couldn't find a way to break down the home defence.

Jamie Hamill came close to netting for Killie when he chested the ball down and left Landry N’Guemo in his wake but his shot was off target.

But it was Celtic who were to add to their score when, 11 minutes from time, substitute Niall McGinn took a touch on Hinkel’s pass before driving the ball low into the Killie net.

After that, referee Willie Collum booked McGeady for what he alleged was a dive inside the box following a challenge from James Fowler.

As the final whistle approached Celtic were again on top with Bell pulling off a number of fine saves to keep the scoreline at a respectable level.

Celtic: Zaluska, Hinkel, Caldwell, Loovens, Fox, McGeady (Zhi), N'Guemo, Crosas, McCourt (McGinn), Samaras, McDonald (Fortune). Subs (not used) Caddis, Thomson, Robson, Cervi.

Kilmarnock: Bell, Fowler, O'Leary, Wright, Hamill, Invincibile (Hay), Bryson, Taouill, Skelton (Flannigan), Sammon (Fernandez), Kyle. Subs (not used) Robinson, Pascali, Owens, Kelly.