Celtic frittered away another two points at Kilmarnock this afternoon after a performance which ultimately showed depths of determination but was marked by shockingly bad organisation.
Kilmarnock’s opener in 25 minutes could not have been simpler. An 80 yard high ball was collected on the edge of the Celtic penalty area by Heffernan, who turned and picked out the onrushing Dean Sheils, who was initially being marked by Beram Kayal but the Israeli failed to match Sheils run, allowing the Killie player time to pick his spot and score.
The home team were encouraged by the opening goal and continued to press forward. Fraser Forster did well to turn over a blistering shot from Kelly which was destined for the top corner. Kilmarnock’s pressure was rewarded on 40 minutes when Kayal and James Forrest stood off a ball conceding possession. Sheils crossed for the offside Heffernan to score but the assistant referee didn’t flag so the goal stood.
Seconds before half time Charlie Mulgrew was short with a back pass and James Fowler chipped Forster to give Killie and three goal half time lead.
The first 28 minutes of the second half were miserable for Celtic as the team appeared resigned to a fate similar to the Celtic team which visited St Mirren Park in March 2010 but Anthony Stokes had other ideas. Stokes missed what was surely the worst chance of his career early in the first half when the scores were still level, and saw a good penalty claim denied on 71 minutes, but instead of hiding he stepped forward.
James Forrest, who also stood up to be counted throughout, ran at the Killie midfield and was fouled 25 yards out. Stokes struck the resultant free kick perfectly into the top left corner.
Two minutes later Stokes collected the ball from Ki 28 yards from goal in what seemed like a safe position but his swift turn and inch-perfect shot beat Jaakkola in the Kilmarnock goal.
Kilmarnock were now rattled and Celtic were level on 79 minutes. Daniel Majstorovic got on the end of a long free kick at the back post and squared for Charlie Mulgrew who headed home.
Having scored three times within seven minutes and with over 10 minutes of the game remaining the Celtic support had reason to feel confident their team could collect all the points but it was Kilmarnock would should have tied up the win in the final minutes when Heffernan found himself unmarked inside the Celtic six yard box but headed over, however, the home team will be happy to have collected their first point in four games.
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Kojo says:
16 October, 2011 at 18:37
henrik larsson wasn’t born and bred scottish or a celtic fan and look how good he was but he had a winning mentality i dont think we need scottish born and bred celtic fans i think we just need players with a winning mentality
HH
DB67
Kojo
Agree – we need more Scottish/Celtic fans in the team.
You know what? I won’t even bother asking – just put you down as in favour of McFadden coming.
new article posted.
Vmhan who Supports Neil Lennon says:
16 October, 2011 at 18:32
Texted your and Swanseabhoy’s moby numbers to googbhoy when I saw his earlier post as I was sure you would not mind s I knew from previous posts you were all plannibg to meet up.
No luck by the way on being the nominated driver…you’ll not need to slice any limes…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
79caps says:
16 October, 2011 at 17:59
Thank you for the compliment.
I think your point about a director of football is spot on.
If however as you suggest the problem is the structure of the Club then you must agree that the responsibility for structure lies nowhere else than at Board level.
That, badly made, is my point. The Board is not taking responsibility for its poor decisions. Responsibility for structure and strategy don’t rest anywhere else
James Forrest is Lennon says:
16 October, 2011 at 18:23
kayal was awful yesterday
wanyama showed discipline he could only dream about
sorry to say but hope i dont see him again until christmas
He should be dropped until he merits his place in the team
Neil needs to protect his fragile back 4 until newyear when reinforcements are a must(again)
we can all see the problems staring us right in the face, we can all talk about what has been done wrong.
I think 4-5-1 until january, stokes proved yesterday he can play up front on his own.
my survival formation
forster
mathews good bad ugly
wanyama
ki ledley
forrest samaras/commons
stokes/hooper
notthebus
You don’t believe what I posted, hence you think I am telling lies.
If you are as foolish as to say Peter Grant wasn’t a coach at Celtic last year, you really need to get out a bit more.
Now go away and bother someone else.
On a tangent – Rangers FC – cheats and proud of it!
I`ve just started reading the “Football – Bloody Hell!” Alex Ferguson autobiography and am absolutely amazed at this tale from John Greig that is in the book. Amazed that Greig has the cheek to tell the tale with no sense of shame or embarassment.
Greig tells of how he tangled with Ferguson during a game at Ibrox when Ferguson was playing with Falkirk. I quote:-
“I had a swipe at him (Ferguson) with my boot. I missed too – completely. But the referee stopped the game and called me across.
“”Fair enough,” I said to him. “I deserve to be booked.” He said I deserved more than that – I was going off. I`d never been sent off in my career and so I had this conversation with him. Basically I told him that, if he sent me off, he`d be demoted from Grade One refereeing – the lot. That was in the days when Rangers had a good relationship with the Scottish FA.””
Such dignity, to demand that the laws of the game not be applied to you. Such dignity to try to intimidate a referee into not doing their job. Such dignity, interpreting a “good relationship” as being bought and paid for.
125 years of unsurpassed cheating!
Dear Kojo
I do like the idea of having more fans playing for the team. However, none of the following players grew up wanting to play for the club;
Jock Stein
Henke
Danny McGrain
King Kenny
Ronnie Simpson
Chris Sutton
Lubo
Bertie Peacock
John Hartson
The list is practically endless. On the other hand, I can think of lots of fans who have turned out to be duds (no names mentioned here). And being willing to run through closed doors for the club is useful, but not necessarily enough.
It’s not where you come from, it’s who you are, and what you become. Henke was never a Celt, but he became a Celt. The same with all the people in the list. But I respect your point of view, I just don’t agree with it. If Mr Kayal becomes a Celt (as opposed to a player who plays for Celtic), then he would be a different player.
Are there REALLY people on this site who are prepared to discuss ANYTHING with a person who thinks that ‘bigger & better bombs ‘ are the solution to the world’s over- population ?
gebhoy is the taxmans tick tocking clock, tick…tock says:
16 October, 2011 at 17:01
I’m not sure that any player who tells us that he hopes to play in the EPL at the end of the current season before he has actually kicked a ball for the club deserves our 100% support.
emusanorphan says:
16 October, 2011 at 17:55
One of the best posts ever on CQN
Sandman Is Neil Lennon says:
16 October, 2011 at 02:15
Indeed it is a superb piece of writing, thanks for re-posting, emu and well done Sandman, tremendous stuff!!
Things were going so well.
I had a couple of Czech lagers, a plate of chicken and chorizo, and Close Encounters on the box.
Now I’ve got Strictly, Subo and and no Silk Cut Silver.
How quickly it all changes.
Hey ho.
Lennybhoy…Supporting Neil Lennon and CFC until I die says:
16 October, 2011 at 18:16
Ki is a good footballer but perhaps the players around him do not allow him to express himself all the time.
—————————————–
Ki never takes his share of defensive duties. Once the ball or opponents run past a zone he considers his remit he adopts that ‘My work here is done.’ posture. Kayal isn’t a great deal better. Do they think defending is beneath them? Far more accomplished mid-fielders than them were stalwarts inside and oiutside the penalty area. Collins, McStay, Lennnon, Lambert and the peerless Murdoch all did their shift when called upon. Why not the ‘K’ brothers?
Terrible crash at the Indy race in Vegas.
Dario has won the championship again as Will Power’s car was banged up, but inder a cloud…..such a shame after a great season between the top two.
Not Australia’s day…..loss v All Blacks, loss v South Africa at Cricket and now Will Power losing out in Indy…..
A good day for Scotland with Murray, Dario and even Tynes kicking well for the Giants vs MON’s beloved Bills.
Goodnight
3rd versus 7th at the weekend ! should be a good game.