Celtic 2-1 Kilmarnock

648

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.
You can order a hard copy of CQN Magazine, issue 5, with credit/debit card or Paypal and buy direct from the UK for only £3.50 + £1.50 postage and packing.  Shipping costs £2 to ROI, £3 to Europe and £4 to the rest of the known universe.  Click on the link below to order.

Click here to view the new issue of CQN Magazine online for free. You can support the online edition by making a discretionary donation here.

[calameo code=000390171224afb293e4a lang=en page=6 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author

648 Comments

  1. Wishing a peaceful and Merry Christmas to Paul67 and all the fine people who frequent this site. Special wishes to all the Aussie Tims, I leave on New Year’s Day to join you in Sydney for four years and hopefully longer, hope to share a beer or two in Cheers.

     

     

    Hail Hail

  2. Nuclear Bovril and a Half Munched Pie on

    Hmmm… I think the sweet, sweet icing on the cake of a lovely day would be a ‘sackcloth and ashes’ Clyde phone in to listen to right now…not that I listen to that muck or anything…(shuffles feet in embarrassment)

  3. prestonpans bhoys on

    seanbhoy69 says:

     

    24 December, 2011 at 21:09

     

     

    Yes indeed, yet the irony is that the polis put our game on to Wednesday because of potential domestic abuse – must have forgot about the possible combination of results today!

     

     

    Merry Xmas Seanbhoy from all in Prestonpans CSC (car club)

     

     

    off now snow man CD on………………………………………………………………………………………

  4. Wish my weans were weans again…

     

     

    Christmas just not the same…

     

     

    Bring on the grand weans….

  5. Off topic but a wee heads up for those who may be interested, TOTP2 tonight has a piece of previously lost footage of David Bowie singing Jean Genie live on TOTP, recorded in Jan 1973, the copy was found in the private collection of one of the studio cameraman.

     

    I saw a clip on the news the other night, hairs on the back of the neck stuff, a landmark in music history.

     

     

    Pablo would have loved it.

  6. Nuclear Bovril and a Half Munched Pie on

    And fholks…. To be slightly sober for a moment…and I mean a moment

     

     

    We will drop points again this season. That is, as they say, football

     

     

    We may get beat on the 28th. Looks unlikely but never say never

     

     

    Remember where we were a few short weeks ago. Remember we will be back there at some point, in the (hopefully very distant) future and I hope you agree that despite the odds, despite the attacks, despite some internecine squabbles… This is special, we’ve got something special and there is nothing, positively nothing like being a Celtic fan.

     

     

    I refute all allegations of excessive Xmas booze imbibement cate.., cata.., cata summat? Catacombs?

     

     

    I may go and have a wee cry and a lie down now.

  7. i wish every celtic fan a very happy christmas

     

    among my other Candles lit at 5pm family mass at St Kessogs tonight one extra one for young Oscar, I expect a phone call some night that the church has been burnt down due to the number of candles i light .Requests from some of my non catholic friends among them.

  8. The Blogger Formerly Known As GM on

    Well, well. Written off in early November to red hot favourites by early January? Avoid complacency at all costs.

     

     

    Happy Christmas to all.

     

     

    GM

  9. What a fantastic day Santa proved he is a Celtic fan.

     

     

    Neil will have some selection problems for wednesday, the combinations are endless, I was a bit worried about the formation today so many players in different positions from the last game.

     

     

    The passing in midfield will have to improve big time I thought Ki and Broony were very poor, i hope Anthony will be fit and Sammi can go back out wide if that happens I cant see James F. or Ki starting, personally i would drop Broony and put Vic back in the middle to protect the defence. on the subject of Vic what a find just ooozes class,big thanks to whoever scouted him can we get any more.

     

     

    We need to be very focused against them they will be desperate to leave the game with a point, we need strength in the middle and our class will tell

     

     

    Great run boys and Lenny please please make it a very happy new year

  10. ElDiegoBhoy says:

     

    24 December, 2011 at 21:36

     

    whitecrook tim

     

     

    Was also at that mass tonight

     

     

    *wish I had been as well :-(((((

  11. Heart felt sorry for the ref (Huns game)today…

     

     

    Looked like a young fella….Career over…

  12. Much to laugh at on FF today, but this wee post made me smile…

     

     

     

    Re: St Mirren v The Rangers OFFICIAL MATCH THREAD

     

    Scum 0-0 at half time…

     

     

    Edit no it’s not they just scored

  13. I am NL in NZ Tauranga on

    If carlsberg did Christmas. Santa has been in New Zealand and I have a new Celtic tee from my wee ma. Massive smile on my coupon and really looking forward to a green Christmas on the 28th.

     

     

    Have a wonderful Christmas with you family Paul67. Thank you for making this place for me and all the other CQN’rs. May your Christmas be happy and blessed.

     

     

    To everyone else have a good one. It’s been a pleasure being in your company. Take care of yourseves and your families and have lots of fun.

     

     

    Is eleven o clock to early for the first beer. Might wait till one minute past 12. Every glass will be lifted to the Glasgow Celtic and I will be thinking of all those sad faced tax evaders who will be choking. Merry Christmas to them all.

  14. el diego boy

     

    My Wife and i were Married by father Monaghan in St Margarets Whitecrook,many

     

    moons ago, it was his first.Have spoken to him a few times since he came,and are helping him with one or two things.

  15. Merry Christmas and Season’s Greetings to all Tims in every corner of the globe.

     

     

    So any movement in the table today? I heard a rumour of some carry on.

     

     

    Was up at 5am this morning with Celtic TV, despite a sair heed trying to keep up the swallys with a bunch of surfers the previous evening- my mistake. The hangover had miraculously vanished a couple of short hours later, however…

     

     

    As for the big, galloping Bhoy that would not look out of place playing you know Who in a Christmas nativity, well I am delighted for him. It seems obvious he loves Life at Paradise, and has spoken only with highest regard as to anything concerning Celtic and the fans. Καλά Χριστούγεννα! Sammi!

     

     

    Current form, as we all know is irrelevant in any game versus dignity rowing FC. I do feel quietly confident this time around. Win the midfield battle first please Lenny and then go for the win.

  16. Our Supporters bus is going to the Glencairn Social Club in Rutherglen before the game on the 28th to a doo organised by the Sons of Donegal any CQN’rs going ?

  17. just saw that lafferty tackle via mic1888..

     

     

    compliance officer will be dishing out another red soon there I should think..

  18. P.S. It would be negligent at this time not to thank Paul67 for providing us with this amazing platform for all Tims to gather and have a blether. Happy Christmas to you and yours Paul. Always eager to see what you have up your digital sleeve next…

     

     

    To all the others that post, thank you for keeping this exiled South Ayrshire Bhoy (yes, really) entertained and informed.

  19. “Easy Self-Assembly Dolls House” my arse……next year she’s getting Lego and can assemble whatever she wants!

     

     

    A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to Paul67 and all CQN punters!!!

  20. The Spirit of Arthur Lee on

    NatKnow

     

     

    Im on the Sports Direct build a bike course

     

     

    looks like the bhoy will be getting a unicycle from santa.

  21. Huge well done to my Georgie for his goals today…..I believe in Georgie.

     

     

    Thanks to all who commented on the first article I have ever written…..it really is time to, RECLAIM THE ORANGE.

     

     

    Good wishes to all in Timdom over the festive season, and finally thank you Neil Lennon for staying with us when it would have been easier and (?) safer to walk away.