celtic lose at rugby park
David Friel
CELTIC were left stunned as Chris Maguire’s goal gave Kilmarnock a 1-0 win at Rugby Park on Tuesday night.
The Hoops, with Robbie Keane and Diomansy Kamara in the starting line-up, couldn’t convert any of their chances and were made to pay when Maguire struck eight minutes into the second period.
Despite pressing for the equaliser, Tony Mowbray’s men couldn’t find the goals - with Keane being denied from point-blank range by Kilmarnock goalkeeper Cammy Bell in the final minutes.
Keane and Kamara were both handed debuts as Mowbray made four changes to the team that lined up against Hamilton on Saturday. The new Bhoys came in for Georgios Samaras and Zheng Zhi, while Glenn Loovens, who captained Celtic, and Lee Naylor replaced Darren O’Dea and Josh Thompson.
Marc-Antoine Fortune was Keane’s strike partner while Kamara played on the left flank. Celtic were throwing bodies forward from the start and Kamara’s early cross was scrambled clear by the Killie defence.
Ki Sung Yueng fired a drive over the bar in five minutes but came closer 60 seconds later when he stung the palms of Bell with a low free-kick. Aiden McGeady’s shot was then deflected into the Killie goalkeeper’s arms.
Jamie Hamill tested Artur Boruc from 25 yards as Kilmarnock threatened for the first time in 11 minutes. The same player then burst into the box but Celtic’s Polish goalkeeper did well to narrow the angle.
Killie, after surviving a strong start from Celtic, were making life difficult for the Hoops but Fortune almost headed the Hoops ahead when he glanced Kamara’s corner towards goal. Garry Hay cleared off the line.
Celtic upped the pressure after that close call. McGeady and Andreas Hinkel combined in the box but the winger’s shot was blocked. Kamara then burst through and slammed a shot inches wide of target.
Hinkel was forced off through injury in 30 minutes as Paul Caddis entered the fray. Seconds later, McGeady skipped free on the wing and found Keane on the edge of the box. His low shot took a deflection as it slid wide.
The Irish striker tried his luck with a chip from 20 yards after a marauding run from Fortune. Keane then scampered clear of Simon Ford and raced into the box, but Bell pulled off a fine double save as the score stayed goalless at the break.
Kamara headed over the bar as Celtic started the second half with renewed purpose. Fortune then showed strength and skill to find space inside the box, but his shot was deflected wide.
Yet, it was Kilmarnock who took the lead in 53 minutes. Mehdi Taouil broke free on the right and picked out Maguire. He took a touch and steered a low shot beyond the reach of Boruc from 12 yards.
Before the restart, Celtic had to replace the injured Jos Hooiveld with Josh Thompson. McGeady and Landry NGuemo were then booked for late tackles, with the Cameroon midfielder unlucky to receive the caution.
It was now a huge test for Celtic and Fortune almost grabbed the equaliser in 62 minutes. He spun in the box, but his low shot was saved by Bell. Kamara then had a shot deflected over.
Keane diverted Fortune’s cross wide in 66 minutes as Celtic searched for the equaliser. Scott Brown then replaced Lee Naylor as Celtic threw bodies forward.
Loovens headed wide from Ki’s corner in 77 minutes. Ki also sent a volley flashing past the post.
Boruc saved from Bryson as Kilmarnock hit on the break and almost grabbed a second in 86 minutes. Keane then found space in the box but Bell saved his low shot.
The Kilmarnock goalkeeper had a fine night and saved from Fortune and Brown before the end as Celtic’s title challenge suffered a major blow.
Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
KILMARNOCK…1
(Maguire 53)
CELTIC…0
KILMARNOCK (4-4-2) Bell; Clancy (Kiernan 73), Ford, Pascali, Hay; Hamill, Bryson, Taouil (Sammon 64), Kelly; Kyle, Maguire (Severin 80)
Subs not used: Robinson, Fowler, Invincibile, Old
CELTIC (4-4-2) Boruc; Hinkel (Caddis 30), Loovens, Hooiveld (Thompson 52), Naylor (Brown 73); McGeady, Ki, NGuemo, Kamara; Fortune, Keane
Subs not used: Zaluska, Zheng, Samaras, Rasmussen
WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: Marc-Antoine Fortune
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