Celtic 1-0 Kilmarnock

Jan 20 2008 Mark Guidi At Parkhead

No Flair Show As Celts Toil To A Scrappy Win

GORDON STRACHAN might disagree but all that could be said for Celtic about this dull game was that they took the points thanks to Martyn Corrigan's second-half own goal.

When chasing Rangers at the top that's all that matters I suppose. Or is it?

Maybe if you have paid hundreds, even thousands, of pounds for a season ticket you might disagree.

This certainly wasn't a match that will live long in the memory but it keeps Celtic on the tail of Walter Smith's league leaders.

Now it's all about how Gers react today in Inverness as they try to restore their advantage to four points.

The Hoops face a tricky away-day at Falkirk next Sunday and will be relieved Aiden McGeady is available again.

Celtic had to do without the influential winger yesterday due to suspension.

It was a blow to Strachan's plans as the Republic of Ireland ace has been in outstanding form for the past two months.

Celtic badly need McGeady. Bottom line.

And the Hoops manager had to make more reshuffles after just 17 minutes against Killie as two key players picked up injuries.

Striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink was involved in a clash of heads with Killie defender Simon Ford that left his face and jersey covered in blood.

The Dutchman had to go off with Chris Killen coming on to replace him. At the same time Derek Riordan replaced new signing Andreas Hinkel as Celtic's right-back curse struck again.

The German - signed after Mark Wilson and Joe Doumbe were crocked - picked up a thigh strain and Strachan will be praying the injury isn't serious.

Celtic created several first-half chances without playing well but found Killie's Alan Combe in excellent form.

The keeper pulled off five saves to keep his side level at the break although maybe four were ones he would expect to make.

Combe's first stop was the finest and it came after 12 minutes when he got down low to fingertip Scott McDonald's 16-yard shot round the post for a corner.

The Australian then forced Combe into another save when his volley from six yards was blocked by the goalie's body.

Celtic continued to have the upper hand and sub Killen found himself clean through in 32 minutes only for Combe to spread his body and block the Kiwi hitman's shot.

Fellow sub Riordan was in good form and also had two efforts that were saved. Killie frustrated Strachan's side on the opening day of the season at Parkhead and looked a decent bet for another clean sheet.

That was until Combe was beaten by one of his players in 64 minutes.

Scott Brown drilled a shot towards goal from 20 yards that was heading wide.

However, Riordan was hovering on Corrigan's shoulder and the defender knew he had to stick out a leg.

All that did, though, was send the ball past his own keeper for the winning goal.

Celtic pushed for a second goal but there was no fluency in their play. To be honest the game was totally forgettable. It felt like a sentence to sit through it. Massimo Donati and Brown rarely found a team-mate all afternoon with a pass and that gave Killie chances to attack.

Jim Jefferies' men managed a couple of bursts forward in the final few minutes but Artur Boruc wasn't troubled and didn't have a save to make in the 90 minutes.

Killie missed the presence of suspended striker Colin Nish although they didn't create many chances for their front men.

Even if Nish had played he probably would have left Celtic Park empty handed. There's no doubt Jefferies needs to freshen up his squad and the board must back their manager.

This season threatens to be the worst of his reign and Jeff shouldn't shoulder the blame.

He can't keep producing great results without being allowed to spend a decent proportion of the money he brings in by selling stars such as Stevie Naismith.

Strachan also faces a fight to retain the title. For weeks things have been things flat on and off the pitch at Parkhead.

A spark needs to appear from somewhere before the transfer window closes. Celtic defender Gary Caldwell doesn't think there's much wrong though and agreed with Strachan about the display.

The former Hibs man claimed the Hoops fully deserved their win and said: "I thought we were excellent." I must have been at a different game.

REF WATCH

MIKE McCURRY had a comfortable afternoon and was rarely tested. The players were well behaved and there were no tough decisions for him in a dull game. Rating: 6/10.

MATCH STATS

CELTIC V KILMARNOCK

13 SHOTS ON 1

6 SHOTS OFF 1

2 OFFSIDE 0

4 FOULS 12

12 CORNERS 2

1 BOOKINGS 3