Celtic travelled to Rugby Park, home of the famous Killie Pies (and managed by a big dour pie) needing a victory to resume their winning ways in the SPL and did so with some aplomb until a Killie reshuffle after the break led to a resurgent Killie asking a few questions of Celtic's resolve.
Celtic dominated the first half hour playing some lovely football without troubling Alan Combe's goal, with the Celtic midfield showing that they were up for it by stroking the ball about and looking menacing until the final third.
The first goal was all about Scott McDonald. When JVOH won a high ball (there is a phrase you don't hear too often) and managed to direct the ball onto McDonald Simon Ford allowed Skippy to turn him and run at him. Before Ford could get goal side of Scott and stand up the ball was already on its way to the back of the net.
Before you could blink an eye, the excellent Aiden McGeady found the bye line on Killie's left flank and hit the front post run of Scott McDonald who still had some work to do to find the back of the net which he did fine.
At two up Celtic were coasting but there were signs that Celtic's rearguard may be in for a shaky afternoon and surprisingly it wasn't any of the usual suspects that caused such consternation it was Mr Reliable himself who it was trying to chase crossed balls into no-mans land from Killies first corner and was nearly punished for it on several occasions.
Into the Second half Killie had a re-jig of the midfield area and managed to get a grip of the midfield and get balls up to the two front men who were keen to run at Kennedy and McManus whenever the chance arose.
When Killie won a free-kick on Celtic's right side and threw a cross that was sure to be fodder for the central pairing all was lost when Big Artur again decided that he was going come out into no-mans land and when Frazer Wright made contact he could hardly miss the self imposed open net.
Celtic looked shaky at this stage and Killie, with nothing to lose threw high balls up to their front two. Boruc managed to atone for his earlier gaffe with a great save from Nish two minutes later.
Celtic had chances to put the game beyond doubt, with the pick of the bunch going to John Kennedy and the labouring Jiri Jarosik who had a poor game on the left hand side.
One wonders what greatness this Celtic midfield is capable off when it has a midfield where every cylinder is firing at the same time.
So McDonald was denied his third hat-trick of the season and at times maybe allowed the thought of personal greatness affect his decision making in the final third. Some may criticise the little striker for putting self glory ahead of the team but i cant bring myself to criticise a forward looking to get as many goals as possible. Bring it on I say!
Lets hope we find out soon!
Yours in Celtic
Clydebuilt