Kilmarnock 1-5 Celtic

Feb 3 2008 Mark Guidi At Rugby Park

Hoops In Mood To Blitz Killie

THE business end of the season started yesterday and Celtic showed they have what it takes to win prizes.

Gordon Strachan's team turned in one of their best performances of the campaign to dump Killie out the cup.

So it's little wonder the Hoops boss and his players looked so happy as they left the field to a standing ovation.

At times Celtic could have played with pinstripe suits on as they eased past Jim Jefferies' men.

Scott McDonald helped himself to a double and was joined on the scoresheet by Gary Caldwell, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and new boy Georgios Samaras.

Jamie Hamill gave Killie hope when he pulled it back to 3-1 but his side were never contenders.

Strachan was backed by the Hoops board last month and made five signings but only Samaras was involved yesterday as he came off the bench to complete the rout.

And the Parkhead manager got the response he wanted from his starting line-up.

Celtic's passing and movement was terrific and they used every inch of space to stretch their opponents on a fine surface.

Strachan's side could have been four ahead by the interval but again found Kilmarnock keeper Alan Combe in great form.

Vennegoor of Hesselink hit a post from an Aiden McGeady cross and saw an early effort kept out by Combe. The Killie goalie also denied McGeady and McDonald as the Hoops flooded forward.

The breakthrough came in 23 minutes after some intense Celtic pressure. Jamie Fowler denied McDonald with a superb tackle in the box but Killie couldn't clear.

Shunsuke Nakamura picked the ball up outside the box and cleverly waited until the right pass became available.

Impressive right-back Paul Caddis made a great run down the flank and Naka's perfect pass allowed the kid to lift his head.

He opted to drive it in low and McDonald slammed the ball past Combe at the front post.

Celtic fully deserved their lead as Killie weren't threatening enough. Gary Wales played through the middle on his own and was isolated too often.

However, Artur Boruc had a save to make just before half-time when he palmed away an awkward drive from Martyn Corrigan.

Rugby Park boss Jefferies must have been relieved to only be one down at the break and hooked Willie Gibson for David Fernandez.

Spanish striker Fernandez was crocked by Celtic centre-back Caldwell last season and Killie fans still give the Scotland defender stick about that.

But the man they love to hate silenced them in 52 minutes when he fired Strachan's side two ahead.

Nakamura's corner was flicked on by Massimo Donati and Caldwell rose to power home a header from four yards.

Celtic were flying now and grabbed another goal six minutes later. McGeady played in Vennegoor of Hesselink 25 yards out and a great first touch allowed him to fire past Combe with his left foot from 15 yards.

The home fans booed chairman Michael Johnston at half-time after seeing another star player - Colin Nish - leave Rugby Park last week.

Many left after Celtic's third but they missed their side pulling one back through Hamill in 65 minutes. The midfielder escaped Scott Brown and headed home from Danny Invincibile's cross.

But Killie's hopes were crushed again little more than a minute later. Vennegoor of Hesselink found McDonald who coolly fired home from eight yards.

The Australian was then given a rest as on-loan Manchester City star Samaras came on. And the Greek hitman made his mark with a superb goal in 85 minutes.

Samaras received the ball on the right and skipped past Simon Ford before sliding the ball into the bottom corner from 15 yards.

It was a fine debut goal but the defending was shocking.

When Celtic beat Killie 1-0 last month words like "excellent" and "fantastic" were used by the players and management.

I didn't agree but those words were appropriate yesterday.

Celtic were as entertaining as they've been for a long time with Vennegoor of Hesselink and Nakamura in fine form.

The Dutch striker now knows he has to produce to get a game and Naka looks in the mood for the nitty-gritty of the run-in.

The only downside for Celtic was a booking that will rule Brown out of the quarter-final.

As for Killie? At the moment there are too many negatives. Jefferies must be given decent funds - just ask their fans.

REF WATCH

IAIN BRINES kept control in a game that never really became charged. Called the bookings spot on and can be pleased with his day. Rating: 6/10.