Premier League 12th January 2002

Kilmarnock 0

Celtic 2

0:1 Hartson 51 (pen); 0:2 Lambert 61

Att: 11,698

MIB: John Underhill

Celtic: Douglas; Valgaeren, Mjallby, Balde; McNamara, Lennon (Petta 74), Lambert, Petrov, Thompson; Hartson, Larsson

The joys of Ayrshire were revisited on the Hoops for this league encounter against the Sons of Williamson.

This was another typically tight game at Rugby Park, but could have been easier on the eye and the nerves, but for poor finishing by Larsson early in the game. As a consequence Killie got into their stride and could well have been three up before the break. A duff header from Petrov that was cleared off the Celtic line before it was an own goal and an equally duff header from Kris Boyd should have made it two nil, but this was not to be Killie's day. On top of these Rab D made a sublime save from a Kevin McGowne free-kick to keep it level at the break.

OFM clearly kicked some butt at half time, as on the re-start Stevie Murray, a 5 foot 4 Killie recruit form Willy Wonka's Umpah Lumpahs, who had been causing all sorts of bother on the flank, was quickly snuffed out.

Within minutes Petrov was fouled by Canero in the box and Celtic had a spot kick. Larsson, in view of his glaring misses in the first period deferred to Hartson who put the Hoops one up. A noble gesture by Henke, but worrying in terms of his confidence.

A magnificent Lambert solo on the hour sealed the three points for Celtic, though it could well have been more, with a Hartson header crashing off the bar. Killie did create more chances, but ex-Celt Tommy Johnston proceeded to waste these. The skelf in his arse from his days on the Celtic bench must have been digging a little deep.

The Celtic road show continues and so does the sideshow among the fans. Killie may be famous for its pies, but this does not excuse some of our more rotund supporters from eating three pies pre-kick-off and two at the break, along with sweets and coffee continually throughout the game. Presumably this is an attempt to gross out the opposition, if not their comrades.