Premier League Sunday 15th December 2002

Kilmarnock 1

Celtic 1

1:0 McLaren (18); 1:1 Valgaeren (68)

Att: 11,698

MIB: Willie Young

Celtic: Douglas; Valgaeren, Balde, McNamara; Agathe, Lambert, Sutton, Petrov (Guppy 63), Thompson

Definitely a case of Post- UEFA blues as a weary Celtic dropped another two points at Rugby Park. MIB Willie Young had one of his finest afternoons and handed his Lodge colleagues an early Christmas box, when he dismissed claims for a Celtic goal after 10 minutes. Bobo had clearly put a headed ball over the line, only for Marshall to scoop it away. MIB Young's gloat was as unpalatable as the putrid animal flesh that passes for a Blue-nosed burger at the Death Star.

What was worse, was the fact that this only seemed to encourage his excesses of incompetence. Before the half was out he had denied Celtic a stonewall penalty when Hartson was held back by Innes in the box.

Killie's goal, when it did arrive, exemplified what is becoming a regular feature for the Sieve - an inability to defend set pieces.

It took until after the hour mark and a bizarre siege of the opposition goal for Celtic to draw level. First Larsson hit a post, then Sutton hit the other post with the rebound, without the ball finding the back of the net as an in off. Killie were clearly unsettled and it wasn't long before they conceded, when Valgaeren headed in an equaliser from a Thompson cross.

By this point Celtic's UEFA exertions were taking their toll and the Hoops were visibly wilting. It was no surprise then when Killie broke up-field and created a golden chance, that only God knows how Canero contrived to miss.

In the end a late Celtic rally was too little too late. We might have to expect more of this on the back of the UEFA run and hope the TFOD, with an away run ahead over Christmas, start dropping points.