SPL/Kilmarnock 0 Celtic 1: Celtic produced an efficient yet unconvincing performance yesterday to regain their three-point lead from Rangers approaching the bend in the Scottish title race.
Chris Sutton determined the outcome when he converted a first-half penalty after Danny Invincibile had handled Alan Thompson's free-kick. The English striker enjoyed an element of good fortune, however, as goalkeeper Alan Combe dived to his left and just failed to reach the ball with his grasping hands.
Quite why Invincibile chose to raise his arm in the air in the 38th minute, when Thompson deflected the ball forward, was unclear. He offered the explanation that he had been attempting to ward off the challenge of a couple of Celtic forwards, before adding: "It was a tough decision but it was handball. That is the first penalty I have conceded and it's painful to have lost that goal."
Jim Jefferies, the Kilmarnock manager, was convinced his side should have had a penalty kick in the second half, when the substitute Gary Wales was bundled to the ground by Sutton, and TV footage backed up the claim.
But Kilmarnock created little in the way of goalscoring chances and Celtic, for all their lack of sparkle, were worth their win. It did take them a long time to establish a lead, however, and that was due, in part at least, to profligate finishing, most notably on the part of Sutton.
Bobo Balde - who now appears to be Middlesbrough-bound, either now or on a pre-contract deal - had also tried his luck with a header and John Hartson also missed with a shot.
Kilmarnock did have the ball in the Celtic net after 12 minutes but Steven Naismith was denied his moment as the referee ruled that the ball was out of play before Invincibile delivered his cut-back.
Hartson should certainly have removed any lingering doubts in 88 minutes when he faced Combe in a one-on-one. But, having lobbed the ball over Combe, the Welsh striker looked on in disbelief when his effort struck the crossbar.
Martin O'Neill, meanwhile, will learn today what the future holds for Balde. "Presumably if he signs a pre-contract with Middlesbrough he will keep us informed about what is happening," he said.
"Balde has been terrific for us and I would be sad to see him go. But he has done it for four years for Celtic and has earned that right."
KILMARNOCK: Combe, Lilley, Ford, Fontaine, Hay, Naismith (Johnston 67 mins), Leven, Locke, McDonald, Boyd (Nish 57 mins),Invincibile (Wales 80 mins). Subs not used: Smith, Fowler, Murray, Dodds.
CELTIC: Douglas, McNamara, Balde, Varga, Laursen, Petrov, Lennon, Thompson, McGeady (Camara 70 mins), Sutton, Hartson. Subs not used: Marshall, Juninho Paulista, Lambert, Wallace, Lawson, McManus.
Referee: I Brines (Scotland).
Guardian Service
