Celtic stretched their lead at the top of the SPL to 17 points with a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock at Celtic Park today.

Goals from Darren O'Dea and Aiden McGeady were enough to see off a well organised Killie side.

Steven Pressley made his debut for the hoops alongside O'Dea, with McManus finally succumbing to a long standing groin strain. Riordan kept his place after his goal at Fir Park, with Beattie in for Miller and Jarosik replacing Gravesen.

The first half was fairly low key, with few chances created by either side. Kilmarnock's best chance came from a counter attack, with a 4 to 2 advantage, but Dodds dragged his shot wide of Boruc's far post.

The scare seemed to wake the home fans up, and Celtic broke the deadlock in the 39th minute, with O'Dea hooking the ball into the net from close range following a Nakamura free kick.

The second half was much more lively, with both teams creating chances, with Killie hitting the crossbar following a free kick, then Riordan saw a powerful shot rattle the woodwork.

But Celtic were clearly lifted by the appearance of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink from the bench, he replaced Beattie, with McGeady coming on for Riordan.

The two subs combined to great effect, with Hesselink striking a post and then watched as Smith clawed away a header on the line.

But once again it was the magic boots of Celtic's Japanese star, Shunsuke Nakamura which set up the clincher. A beautifully weighted throughball meant that McGeady only had to pass the ball into the net in the 90th minute to make the points safe.

Celtic: Boruc, Telfer, Pressley, O'Dea, Naylor, Nakamura, Lennon, Jarosik, Riordan (McGeady 72), Beattie (Vennegoor of Hesselink 65), Zurawski (Miller 90).

Subs Not Used: Marshall, Sno, Gravesen, Lawson.

Kilmarnock: Smith, Fowler, Greer, Frazer Wright, Hay (Johnston 79), Ford, Grant Murray, Dodds (Naismith 71), Leven, Wales (Barrowman 79), Invincibile.

Subs Not Used: Harpur, Stephen Murray, Adams, Campbell.


Booked: Dodds.

Att: 57,236 Ref: S Conroy


TC MOTM - Shunsuke Nakamura