Five Star Bhoys
By Bobo the Great November 1 2003
It was a stoll in the park, at Rugby Park today, as Celtic hit Kilmarnock for 5 in a comfortable performance. Chris Sutton netted a hat-trick, goals also came from John Hartson and substitute Shaun Maloney.
It was a stoll in the park, at Rugby Park today, as Celtic hit Kilmarnock for 5 in a comfortable performance. Chris Sutton netted a hat-trick, goals also came from John Hartson and substitute Shaun Maloney.
Martin O'Neill made three changes to last week's side - Liam Miller was played on the right in place of rested Didier Agathe, Jackie McNamara won back his place from Joos Valgaeren and Mickey Gray took Alan Thompson's place on the left hand side. Celtic's first goal came from a penalty in 19 minutes. Stillian Petrov won the penalty, TV replays showed that Petrov certainly made the most of the challenge but I'm not complaining.
Chris Sutton stuck the ball in the corner of the net to put the league leaders 1-0 up. Liam Miller impressed once again, and almost grabbed a goal when a wonderful return pass from Larsson landed in his path. Miller chipped the ball beautifully over the goalkeeper and the Celtic fans were almost celebrating, but a goal line clearance from Greer prevented a second goal.
Killie never looked like scoring, they had one attempt at goal in the first half, which fizzed by Magnus Hedman's post. Henrik Larsson made a terrific run moments before the half time whistle, and it looked like the run would end up in a superb goal. However, his shot bounced unluckily back off the post. Celtic took a slender 1-0 lead into half-time and the way Killie had been playing I’m sure Jim Jefferies would have been delighted with his teams 1-0 deficit.
Celtic were playing some good football, but lacking in the last third of the park. But on 69 minutes, The Bhoys decided they were playing too much like Rangers and stepped up a gear for the second goal.
From a free kick, Henrik Larsson passed the ball out wide to Mickey Gray, who's neat cross into the box was powerfully headed home by John Hartson. The Welshman looked delighted with his goal as he headed off to celebrate with the Celtic fans. Seven minutes later it was game over. Hartson released a poor ball to Larsson on the right, and his cross was smashed home by Chris Sutton.
Martin O'Neill replaced Neil Lennon, John Hartson and Michael Gray with Shaun Maloney, Ross Wallace and Momo Sylla with 10 minutes to go, and Maloney got Celtic's fourth with his first touched of the ball after Ross Wallace swung a beautiful ball into the box only for Maloney who had time to pick his spot and send the Killie fans home.
Chris Sutton grabbed his third from the penalty spot with only minutes left. Larsson was brought down inside the box and the confident Chris Sutton stepped up to end the route and fire past the helpless keeper. That’s three out of three penalties scored now for Sutton and perhaps we've found a permanent penalty taker.
Celtic (4-4-2)
Hedman - 7
McNamara - 7
Varga - 7
Balde - 8
Gray - 7 (Wallace - 7)
Lennon - 6 (Sylla - 4)
Sutton - 9
Petrov - 8
Miller - 8
Hartson - 7 (Maloney - 8)
Larsson - 9
REFEREE: Hugh Dallas
ATTENDANCE: 12,460
MAN OF THE MATCH: Chris Sutton
Chris Sutton stuck the ball in the corner of the net to put the league leaders 1-0 up. Liam Miller impressed once again, and almost grabbed a goal when a wonderful return pass from Larsson landed in his path. Miller chipped the ball beautifully over the goalkeeper and the Celtic fans were almost celebrating, but a goal line clearance from Greer prevented a second goal.
Killie never looked like scoring, they had one attempt at goal in the first half, which fizzed by Magnus Hedman's post. Henrik Larsson made a terrific run moments before the half time whistle, and it looked like the run would end up in a superb goal. However, his shot bounced unluckily back off the post. Celtic took a slender 1-0 lead into half-time and the way Killie had been playing I’m sure Jim Jefferies would have been delighted with his teams 1-0 deficit.
Celtic were playing some good football, but lacking in the last third of the park. But on 69 minutes, The Bhoys decided they were playing too much like Rangers and stepped up a gear for the second goal.
From a free kick, Henrik Larsson passed the ball out wide to Mickey Gray, who's neat cross into the box was powerfully headed home by John Hartson. The Welshman looked delighted with his goal as he headed off to celebrate with the Celtic fans. Seven minutes later it was game over. Hartson released a poor ball to Larsson on the right, and his cross was smashed home by Chris Sutton.
Martin O'Neill replaced Neil Lennon, John Hartson and Michael Gray with Shaun Maloney, Ross Wallace and Momo Sylla with 10 minutes to go, and Maloney got Celtic's fourth with his first touched of the ball after Ross Wallace swung a beautiful ball into the box only for Maloney who had time to pick his spot and send the Killie fans home.
Chris Sutton grabbed his third from the penalty spot with only minutes left. Larsson was brought down inside the box and the confident Chris Sutton stepped up to end the route and fire past the helpless keeper. That’s three out of three penalties scored now for Sutton and perhaps we've found a permanent penalty taker.
Celtic (4-4-2)
Hedman - 7
McNamara - 7
Varga - 7
Balde - 8
Gray - 7 (Wallace - 7)
Lennon - 6 (Sylla - 4)
Sutton - 9
Petrov - 8
Miller - 8
Hartson - 7 (Maloney - 8)
Larsson - 9
REFEREE: Hugh Dallas
ATTENDANCE: 12,460
MAN OF THE MATCH: Chris Sutton
Bookmark or share this story with:
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleuponSPORTNETWORK SPECIALS
More Celtic FC headlines
- Camara clicks with two goals at Paradise
- Thompson wonder-goal settles Old Firm game
- Brazilian star "7-UP" for Celtic
- Celtic stay top with 3-1 win over Caley
- Celts go top of SPL despite early scare
- Celtic invited to talks with elite G14 group
- Celtic still on the signings trail before deadline
- Johan signs up for La Liga's new entrants
- Celtic short-listing possible striker signings
Celtic FC latest threads
Celtic FC Poll
