RELEGATION-THREATENED Kilmarnock severely dented Celtic's title hopes last night and grabbed a shock survival lifeline for themselves.
Rugby Park was Celtic's championship graveyard last season and three points jettisoned last night was a major disappointment for manager Tommy Burns and his team as they chase Rangers.
Victory would have lifted Celtic to within two points of Rangers as the Ibrox club threaten Celtic's cherished nine-in-a-row record. But the gap could be eight tonight if Walter Smith's side beat Dundee United at Ibrox.
Paul Wright and 19-year-old Alex Burke scored in each half to inflict Celtic's sixth Scottish League Premier Division defeat of the season.
Last season, they dropped four points on visits to the club Burns bossed before he moved to Celtic, and ended up four adrift of Rangers in the final table.
Last night, Bobby Williamson's Scottish Cup semi-finalists, beaten in their last five league games, sealed a sensational win to lift themselves four points clear of Raith at the bottom and within two of Hibernian and Motherwell.
Celtic's fans streamed towards the exits in the final minutes after a lacklustre display from their side only five days after ending a nine-match run against Rangers without a victory by winning their Scottish Cup clash.
Burns had labelled last night's match the most important fixture of the season. But now, regardless of how Rangers fare against Dundee United, Celtic must win against their arch-rivals on Sunday to revive their hopes.
Celtic were minus Italian inspiration Paolo Di Canio for the visit to Ayrshire, with the hamstring injury he sustained against Rangers last week ruling him out.
Burns drafted in German Andreas Thom from the start, with Simon Donnelly on the bench in place of Pierre Van Hooydonk, who was sold to Nottingham Forest on Monday.
Kilmarnock were without goalkeeper Dragoje Lekovic, who was on international duty with Yugoslavia, so Scotland Under-21 international Colin Meldrum stepped into the side.
Kevin McGowne returned after suspension and John Henry was in midfield after scoring a hat-trick in Saturday's cup quarter-final victory over Morton.
Celtic were indebted to goalkeeper Stewart Kerr for a fine stop after only seven minutes. Jim McIntyre set up the shooting chance for Burke but Kerr made a fine save, then Malky Mackay blocked a follow-up effort from Henry.
Celtic themselves carved out an opening two minutes later as Peter Grant floated a chip over Meldrum but the ball struck the crossbar and the danger was averted.
Kilmarnock's opener arrived in the 24th minute after Mackay was adjudged to have brought down McIntyre. Wright elected to shoot direct from around 22 yards and swerved a superb effort high into the net with Kerr powerless. It was Wright's 13th goal of the season and his 30th since signing for Kilmarnock from St Johnstone two years ago.
Almost immediately, Phil O'Donnell was booked for a foul and Celtic were living dangerously at the back as Kerr again rescued his team-mates by saving with his feet from McIntyre.
Jorge Cadete finally threatened after 32 minutes when he met a Tosh McKinlay corner with his head, but the ball hit the crossbar. Thom was roaming freely in an effort to inspire his side but Burns must have been far from pleased with the out-of-touch first-half display.
Kilmarnock also made a bright start to the second half with 19-year-old Burke tormenting former Serie A defender Enrico Annoni down the left flank.
The pair were involved in a controversial 58th minute decision which could have given them a 2-0 lead.
David Bagen crossed from the right and Burke squeezed a header beyond Kerr, but Annoni hooked the ball off the line with no flag from referee's assistant Graeme Allison to signal a goal.
Celtic sent on Donnelly and Brian McLaughlin after 63 minutes for Mackay and Grant in an effort to save the match, with Kilmarnock's Ray Montgomerie booked for a foul on Cadete.
Meldrum distinguished himself with a fine stop from Donnelly before Kilmarnock raced upfield to make it 2-0 after 74 minutes,
