SPL Saturday Janaury 14th

Celtic 4

Kilmarnock 2

Att: 57,000

MIB: John Underhill

Celtic: Boruc Telfer Balde McManus Wallace Nakamura Petrov Lennon McGeady Maloney Hartson
subs
McGlinchey for McGeady 73
Virgo for Wallace 85

When WGS arrived he said that he wanted to get the team back to playing the Celtic way; pity none of us realised that his idea of the Celtic way came from his time playing against us back in the 80s. What else can explain the attack with guns blazing and trumpets blaring coupled with defending defend accompanied by panic in the eyes and pants rapidly filling.

A home debut for Roy Keane and the Lisbon Lions stand holding up green, white and orange cards. They should have held up a sign that said 'Clear your lines' instead.

A poor, poor game, but that doesn't mean there weren't moments of deep joy, especially when it involves beating Jim Jeffries and his ass. Billy 'We've been putting with this for Hundreds of years!' Brown.

Nakamura got the show on the road with a pinpoint free kick after Petrov had been bundled to the ground; the same player was fouled for the penalty to allow Shaun Maloney to put us two in front, although it should be pointed out that Maloney was chief architect in the move leading up the spot kick.

But even with a 2:0 lead we had cause for concern. Like, what's the story with Lennon? His nose seems put out of joint by something; he has the armband, he can only throw it away. Any more performances like this and that might just happen.

Killie's route back into the game was ridiculous. A ball was played into their centre forward. He laid it off, but it landed at the feet of Maloney. Next thing you know the ref is pointing at the spot. Why? Because McManus has demolished the forward for no good reason. None of the Killie players claimed for it, but Keane's reaction said it all. An unnecessary and reckless tackle.

The equaliser was even worse. Keane, of all people dithering on the ball. It broke out to the wing, was crossed in and Danny Invincible (is he related to any of the Incredibles?) out-jumped Wallace to score. Now some have pointed to this goal and used it as proof that Wallace shouldn't be a full back. Flawed logic to say the least. Can't see Roberto Carlos doing a lot in that situation, or Ashley Cole, or Wayne Bridge.

That aside, the only humorous thing about the goal was the number of people in the ground freaking out at Telfer for lingering on the ball; you see Roy Keane would never do something that stup... oh.

Having made life difficult you have to say the players' reaction to Kilmarnock going level was excellent. WGS has certainly got a team with heart. The two goal culprits linked up to restore our lead. Keane's shot wasn't held by Combe and McManus wasted no time in forcing the ball over the line.

Zurawski wrapped up the points after excellent work by Maloney and Wallace.

Man of the match went to Nakamura, but an honourable mention must go to Maloney. His true talent is in the midfield. Only Nakamura can match his passing and when the two of them start to tick very little can stop us.

All that was left was for us to enjoy the Jim Jeffries press conference, but he let us down badly, even commenting that Celtic had some class players. But we weren't to be disappointed. Killie 'keeper Combe emerged with some first class humbug; never a free kick, a foul on me for the third and the fourth wasn't over the line (even though my own team mates say it was).

Excellent - hope he choked all through Saturday night.