SPL Saturday January 31st

Celtic 5

Kilmarnock 1

1:0 Agathe 55
2:0 Hartson 65
3:0 Larsson 76
4:0 Pearson 77
4:1 Skora 84
5:1 Hartson 89

Att: 59,138

MIB: Tom Brown

Celtic: Douglas Agathe Varga Kennedy McNamara Petrov Lennon Sutton Pearson Hartson Larsson
subs
Lambert for Petrov 78
Valgaeren for Varga 78
Maloney for Larsson 78

Another five goals tanked past Killie, and the Jolly Jambo Jim Jeffries is sent packing again.

After the last game of the previous season the fans at Rugby Park had waited for the Hoops to perform a well deserved lap of honour. The police didn't allow that. The only person who emerged from the tunnel was John Robertson. He was out for a post -match fag, and as he smoked it he stomped around the dug out area with air of a very unhappy man looking for a cat to kick. Alone with his thoughts it was almost as though he was planning how we would respond. He had an air of grim determination about him.

So here we are eight months later, 11 points clear, a goal difference of around plus 40 and having dropped a mere two points all season in the league. This is the strongest Celtic team in 30-odd years.

They're not infallible, though, and the first half here was proof of that as we barely threatened the Killie keeper. In fact they had the better chances. But once the players got into their stride the game was over. Their will to win is unquestionable.

The main difference between the two halves of this game was Didier Agathe - he played as a right back in the first, and a right-winger in the second. He scored the first and set up the next two. A pretty good day's work. Curious that some still insist on giving him serious abuse, and he is probably the only first team regular we have who has never had his chanted by the crowd (but then again how does a name like Agathe scan properly?).

Other stars were Petrov - who just keeps improving - McNamara (league winning captain elect) and Pearson. Not only did our newest recruit get another goal he is also adding a new dimension to our midfield. His runs into the box are reminiscent of Billy Stark, but without the bad afro haircut.

The last mention must go to Shaun Maloney. He's had a hard time of late, his recent appearances have been at outside left, where he hasn't exactly shone (forgive the pun), but today he came off the bench and showed his stuff, brilliantly setting up Hartson's second goal. Good to see he's kept his head up, now let's see a bit more of him.