Kilmarnock substitute Danny Racchi scored with a thunderous striker after 87 minutes to turn an otherwise pedestrian Celtic victory into a late drama. Georgios Samaras scored a goal either side of half time to give Celtic the platform to secure a victory which moved them to within a point of the top of the table.
Victor Wanyama played in central defence, which left his midfield partner, Beram Kayal, bereft of a solid accomplice in midfield. As a result, Kilmarnock found it easy to run through the Celtic midfield with Paul Heffernan and Dean Shiels causing problems.
Neil Lennon must have been wondering what he would need to do to spark Celtic into action after the break when Cha Du-Ri sprung clear on the right and threw in a high cross which Samaras attacked six yards out and headed into the net in first half stoppage time.
8 minutes after the break Samaras made it 2-0. Gary Hooper collected a through ball on the right and knocked it into the Greek’s path. Samaras looked to have lost the ball, which was caught between his feet, but he recovered, evaded some flaying defenders and cracked a left foot shot into the net from the edge of the area.
Kilmarnock looked well out of the game until Racchi’s late intervention but after they pulled a goal back Celtic looked rattled. Celtic scarcely held possession for the remaining minutes and hardly put two passes together in three minutes added time. Fraser Forster was forced off his line to challenge Heffernan with seconds remaining. The keeper did well to block but the ball broke free to Dayton who failed to convert an excellent change to equalise.
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Merry Christmas from a dismal, rain-lashed North Ayrshire.
Tremendous results yesterday!
Henrik’s Golden Boot says:
25 December, 2011 at 08:44
Good morning CQN, and Merry Christmas to one and all, in particular Paul 67, a really superb site.
A great day yesterday, I was more than a little nervous in the last few mins and was gutted that Izzy didnt get to come on but its only a matter of time before he and other players will return to the side.
Agree what i loved was the body language from Izzy during his warm up
Desperate to get on the hallowed turf
Lenny unleash him on Wedensday
.
Kit..@..7:52am..
Thank You for Your Very kind Words..
Now Back to Sammi for the SPL Player of the Year..Debate..
Summa
Shame there are no papers this morning.
Even a bad paper would be a delight!
Knoxxy2000 – thinking of you and your family today my friend.
Lionroars67
I must admit, I would play Izzy on Wednesday night even though it is a slight risk in terms of his match fitness as you dont want to make changes to your defence in the last 20 mins in a match of this magnitude.
For me you either play Charlie or Izzy at left back as I want Ledley in midfield.
Happy birthday to my big mate Gordon64.Have a great day
and don’t go easy on the bevvy big mhan.
Hail hail
BRTH – great read that mate, thanks. Absolutely share your sentiments at the end.
Mr Neil Lennon – congratulations on you and your team’s remarkable turnaround in confidence and form. I hope that you win the league for yourself, you deserve it with the garbage you have had to endure. A win this year would be as sweet as any I can remember.
Gonna help yourself get there by playing Victor in midfield on Wed please?
BRTH
Another smasher.
I doff my ‘comedy’ reindeer hat in your general direction.
Thanks.
HH.
2010 Never Again
Knoxxy2000
Prayers and thoughts with you and your family
Merry Christmas,compliments of the season,etc.
Only read back from midnight,good to see some old friends on.
Also good to see BCC defending Kenny Shiels,and reminding us that he stood up for Neil when the rest of society egged on the morons.
I only have one post still to read-I’m just gonna stick the turkey into the oven,sit back and appreciate the musings of BRT&H.
His posts are seldom brief,but always worthy of the time taken to write them. I doff my cap to the fine gentleman in particular,and to the rest of the CQN community.
Even the hunterloupers who have been absent recently,and to STEPHENPOLLOCK,for it takes a man to apologise when he is wrong.
Hail,hail.
Merry Christmas to the whole Celtic Family………..!!!!!!!
Thanks again Paul for this fantastic site which for many of us (lurkers) is a daily read.
Bach to lurking
Catman
What`s all this goodwill stuff on here this morning? Anyone would think it was ChristmasQuickNews.
All the very best to everyone but let`s keep talk of League position until after Wednesday. BRTH mentioned Fate in his excellent post, let`s not tempt it with premature beliefs. I hope we manage a rousing chorus of ” There`s Only One Neil Lennon!” on Wednesday. THe man deserves it (and so do the Huns!!).
JJ
PS MWD . I was hoping for a pair of blue gloves for Christmas. Alas,nay (neigh?) o:-)
Big, big game coming up……….
And the ‘fascinating’, curious agendas pop up.
Incredible!
Merry Christmas everybody.
How funny were those results yesterday,great wee present from Santa,would have loved to have read the papers in here today,FF funnies will suffice though;)
BRTH, an outstanding post! Should be pinned on the dressing room wall.
Merry Christmas to you and yours from all the Taggsybhoy family. Share your sentiments about Knoxy and young Oscar.
You’re so right about the “Celtic spirit”. I’m sure each and every one of us could recall times when that spirit has filled up inside us.
And you know, you don’t just feel it when we’re winning. Its just like that story in the seven penny gate when the guy walks up to John Cairney in the posh London gentleman’s club “you know John, there are Celtic supporters everywhere”
Good morning friends and a Happy and Holy Christmas from a dry, blustery but otherwise peaceful East Kilbride.
Quick scroll back whilst I have my cornflakes then it’s Santa time.
Jobo
Paul67,
A very happy Christmas to you and your loved ones. My thanks for the best Celtic site of all.
I wish every Celtic supporter true joy this Christmas time. May it be unbounded on Wednesday. I can’t be there (Paul has promised to give the team a cheer for me) in person; but will most certainly be there in spirit.
Happy Christmas to Paul67 his family and all CQNers and a big thanks to Santa for his early arrival.
Hail Hail.
A very Happy Christmas to all.
Thanks to Paul67 for this wonderful site, and to Neil Lennon and his young Lions for the early present yesterday.
Onwards to Wednesday and a thrashing for TFOD.
Enjoy your day.
Hail Hail.
Biggest decisions for Lenny on Wednesday is which central defensive pairing will last 90 minutes and which of his ‘favourites’, Brown or Kayal, should he drop. Big Vic and Ledley must play in midfield with one of Brown or Kayal, Wilson and Mulgrew centre defence and Izzy at left back.
Forster
Cha Wilson Mulgrew Izzy
Brown Wanyama Ledley
Forrest Hooper Samaras
Subs. Zaluska Rogne Matthews Ki Kayal Stokes McCourt
breakfast of champions
prociutto
chorizo
salami
bone dry Manzilla
jingle bells
jingle bells……
BRTH:
taggsybhoy text me to say you were on top form, today, had to dip in to read what you were saying…taggsybhoy was correct. Excellent piece mate.
I get emotional at this time, especially since my Dad left us on 18th October 1999.
Knoxy 2000, thoughts and very much my prayers with you, your family and Oscar.
Right back to my other family. To my Celtic family, I wish you and your loved ones a happy, holy and peaceful Christmas.
God Bless.
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Merry Christmas to all Celtic fans.
Yurcl
BRTH,
Your contribution is one of the best Christmas presents I have ever received. My thanks. I think someone said it should be pinned up in the changing room at Celtic Park. It should be put up in the Main Entrance. It is who we aspire to be.
A Very Happy Christmas to you all, my extended family on here.
Re Kenny Shiels, he comes across as an honourable man, his defence of Neil will never be forgotton by me, I would much rather have the likes of him and Pat Fenlon in our game than than the likes of Jeffries, Calderwood.
Watch out for Rangers aided and abetted by the Laptop Loyal cranking up the presure on Collum with this McCulloch appeal, and the sense of injustice and seige mentality when the appeal inevitably fails.
They employed a similar tactic 2 years ago when Collum red carded Misser in the 7-2 win v Arabs which also failed on appeal, the LL and Smith piled the pressure on Conroy and he duly delivered for them.
They will stoop to any level to gain an advantage.
WDH
Sounds good,especially the Manzilla.
No drink for me till dinnertime have to go to
Rutherglen to pick up the in-laws,will make up
for it later.
Enjoy your day.
hail hail
Merry Christmas to every single contributor to the best Celtic site in the Universe, and cheers Santa, Jesus, Lenny, mammy, daddy, Sami and Gowser for the early prezzies yesterday.
Even when we were 15 points behind i still had this feeling we’d still do it.
Now? I’m absolutely certain. Enjoy Wednesday, bhoys and ghirls. But have a great one today first.
One for DBBIA:
Sexy Celtic FC Ghirls 2011
Paul67,
A very Merry Christmas to you and your family and a massive Thank You for one of the best sites on the internet (more than just a football blog IMO) and have a brilliant New Year and 28th of December. :)
Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year to All CQN’ers.
Lets win this Treble playing in a true Celtic way.
A Very Happy Christmas to all CELTIC fans, players staff everyone connected to us.
Have a peaceful day and thinl of those less fortunate.
I and QueenLuBO are haveing Rudolf for dinner
Only kidding
KINGLuBO
Merry Christmas to everyone at CQN World, to Paul 67 and his family and to all the wonderful writers who post here and make this place an essential part of my Celtic family.
God Bless You All.
Starry Plough
Forster
Cha Rogne Mulgrew Izzy
Ki
Brown Wanyama Kayal Ledley
Hooper
That would do me to start.
BRTH at 8:09, tremendous uplifting post on this fine day.
Merry Xmas Paul and to all of the Celtic family …HH..
BRT&H
Excellent post buddy.
Reminded me of a topical discussion on the blog last week with regards racist terms.
CELTIC is wholly coloured and international while Rangers are British & White.
Hail! Hail!
Prayers said for Knoxy and all who are experiencing problems with their own or their family’s health as well as Pablo and all good Tims who have left us this years
A special mention also to Daniel, Lyndsey and wee Shaeden who’s Christmas I’m sure will be tinged with both Happiness and heartache. Merry Christmas to you.
MWD Merry Christmas to all CQN’ers.
PS. JJ. I got you blue gloves with the Royal Rangers Crest. Posted them last 1690. :o)
In the 60’s Yogi was Sammi.
FELIZ NAVIDAD Y PROSPERO AÑO NUEVO. SOMOS CAMPEONES – AHORA Y SIEMPRE.
P.S. 18 degrees in Denia this morning, sky is blue but I’m not complaining :)