Killie FC beat Celtic after nine years of trying

Feb 5 2010 by Lizzie Struthers, Kilmarnock Standard

KILLIE fans may have thought their new manager, with the initials JC, could work a miracle or two.

Well, Jimmy Calderwood delivered his first one on Tuesday night when his new charges beat Celtic for the first time in NINE years!

The last time they beat the Parkhead side was on May 20, 2001, when Alan Mahood scored the winner in a 1-0 win.

It’s a long time since the home fans have been so vociferous, but they stayed to cheer the Killie players off the park after seeing their favourites beat a Celtic team that included £65,000 per week on-loan striker Robbie Keane.

But it was Calderwood who had the last laugh with another on-loan player, Chris Maguire, scoring the game’s only goal before a crowd of 9308.

Maguire, who was signed from Aberdeen only three hours before the transfer window closed, was the player who ended the barren run against Celtic, but every one of those who took part played their part in a famous victory.

It was the third successive SPL game without defeat, following draws against Hamilton and Dundee United, and despite Falkirk winning at Aberdeen on Tuesday night, Killie have jumped into third bottom spot, although the teams under them do have games in hand.

Things looked ominous for Killie early on when Celtic powered forward in the opening period, but the defence, marshalled by skipper Manuel Pascali, held firm.

There was a welcome return at full back for Tim Clancy, and in midfield the promising youngster Liam Kelly had another fine match.

The tireless Craig Bryson worked his socks off and up front Kevin Kyle, playing alongside Maguire for the first time, made a massive contribution.

There were also first appearances in the Killie blue and white for the other two on-loan signings from Watford, Scott Severin and Rob Kiernan, both of whom will be at Rugby Park for the rest of the season.

But probably Killlie’s hero on the night was goalkeeper Cameron Bell, who pulled off a series of excellent saves to deny Tony Mowbray’s side.

Said Calderwood: “He was brilliant, and he has been since he came into the side.

“He was as sick as a dog after losing four goals against Dundee United at the weekend, even although he did nothing wrong.”

The manager was delighted with the response he got from all his players, saying that “feeling happy” was a bit of an understatement.

“They did well against Dundee United and took a bit of confidence from that game, but you have to step up a gear again against the Old Firm,” he said.

“The whole stadium was rocking during that 4-4 game and it was the same again for the Celtic match.

“The atmosphere was fantastic and it lifted our players and enabled us to go on and win.”

Now thoughts turn to Saturday’s fifth round Scottish Cup tie against Inverness CT at Rugby Park and an opportunity to avenge the Cup defeat in the Highlands last season.

“We’ll enjoy the fact that we beat Celtic,” continued the gaffer, “and hopefully we’ll get a lift to take into the Cup match which will be a very difficult tie.

“Although Falkirk had a good result at Aberdeen, the fact that we won takes us a bit nearer the teams immediately above us.”

Saturday however, will be a welcome respite from the rigours of the SPL and will give the three new signings an opportunity to get to know their team mates better.

After a season of gloom, doom and despondency, Killie fans can hardly wait for Saturday to come round.

The teams on Tuesday for Killie’s memorable win were:

Kilmarnock: Bell, Clancy (Kiernan), Ford, Pascali, Hay, Taouil (Sammon), Bryson, Kelly, Hamill, Maguire (Severin), Kyle. Subs (not used) Robinson, Fowler, Invincibile, Old.

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel (Caddis), Naylor (Brown), N’Guemo, Keane, Fortune, Kamara, Hooiveld (Thompson), Ki Sung, Loovens, McGeady. Subs (not used) Zaluska, Samaras, Rasmussen, Zhi.