Premier League Sunday 25th December 2002

Kilmarnock 0

Celtic 4

0:1 Sutton (15); 0:2 Sutton (43); 0:3 Thompson (53 pen); 0:4 Petrov 83

Att: 16,722

MIB: Kenny Clark

Celtic: Broto; Varga, Balde, Mjallby; Agathe (Smith 75), Lennon, Petrov, Thompson, Maloney (Lambert 14), Larsson, Sutton

Hot on the heels of some Portuguese gamesmanship, it was back to domestic duties for some plain old cheating of the SPL kind.

The loss in Europe seemed only to drive Celtic to greater efforts as two first half goals from Sutton ,a Thommo penalty and a final score from Stan made for a comfortable victory at a bogie ground.

The result at Ibrox was inconsequential, we all knew that a 94th minute penalty would give them the league by a goal. Did we really care?. No! The only moments when we might have cared, came with a Thommo penalty miss-just typical of this season- and a Larsson effort that sickeningly spun off the post. The sea change in fortune was palpable as the shot rebounded with a dull clunk. Celtic's season had finished trophyless.

The heroic efforts by the team on behalf of Scotland were mocked by the Killie support who cheered every time a goal was scored at the Death Star and by players who blatantly time wasted. Sutton's out-burst at the end of the game was basically telling it as it is. He spoke well and truly for the support.

No fears, the Orcs will provide us with more laughs in Europe in the season ahead , having won the league by default. Even Caniggia had sense enough to admit it as he led a pack of rats away from a ship at Ibrox that looks to be sinking faster than Murray Park.

Even on the way back from Rugby Park, the Orcs were giving us a laugh as their triumphalist celebrations kicked off . Caught on the Kingston bridge in traffic, the rabid beasts were hanging out windows spewing abuse at all and sundry and literally foaming at the mouth, prompting Celtic fans to offer them hankies to wipe away the slobbers. Roll on 2003-2004, Europe beckons for us, while a taxi beckons for The litter tray XI.