Stokes and Hooper

By FOS Editor
July 24 2011

Celtic moved two points clear of Rangers after only one week of the season with a win over Hibs, while Dundee Utd and Killie took a point a piece at Tannadice.

Anthony Stokes capitalised on an error by Hibs goalkeeper Graham Stack to fire Celtic in front after 14 minutes. The keeper came out to collect a Commons free kick but dropped it at the feet of Stokes who scored from a tight angle.

The visitors had the ball in the net again minutes later when Mark Wilson, captaining the side in the absence of the suspended Scott Brown, stabbed the ball past Stack but the offside flag had been raised against the defender, although television replays suggested he was onside.

Then in the second half, Ki Sung-Yueng's low left-foot strike doubled the visitors' advantage. The Korean took advantage of the space an inexperienced Hibs defence allowed him at the edge of the box to fire home.

Stack made up for his earlier mistake when he saved Gary Hooper's penalty but Hibs were rarely in the match. The penalty had come about when Izaguerre was tripped by Ivan Sproule.

Up at Tannadice Dundee United fought back to claim a draw against Kilmarnock as both sides settled for a point in their opening Scottish Premier League fixture.

David Goodwillie fired wide of the Killie goal from six yards in the first half and Gary Harkins missed a couple of chances for the visitors.

Rory McKeown fired Kilmarnock in front with a stunning 25-yard strike just after the interval. But substitute Danny Swanson volleyed United level 20 minutes from the end.

Goodwillie had a late chance to steal victory for the home side but the striker was foiled by goalkeeper Cammy Bell's superb save.