Celtic are now seven points clear in the SPL, albeit with an extra game played, and a victory was needed today going into the Old Firm game on Wednesday.
It was an unchanged Celtic side from Tuesday's win against Shakhtar Donetsk and still no place for Brazillian summer signing, Juninho. Aiden McGeady, rightfully, kept his place in the side. Bobo Balde missed out through injury.
It was the visitors who had all the early possession, and they could have scored a couple after only a few minutes. Colin Nish passed up two opportunities to open the scoring; one going wide and one forcing a good save from David Marshall in the Celtic goal.
Celtic finally wakened up and pressed at the Killie goal. Despite not playing great, we were certainly creating the chances, but like Tuesday night, were finding it hard to stick them away.
Camara, Hartson and Thompson all came close on a couple of occasions each, but it was looking like one of they days.
Celtic conjured up a number of corners in the first half but to no avail. Not surprisingly though, our opening goal came from a set piece. A free-kick on the edge of the Killie box was awarded for an alleged hand ball, and Aiden McGeady curled home a beautiful strike on 43 minutes.
In the second half, we were expecting a few more goals but it wasn't to be. Our second goal came from the penalty spot, after Henri Camara was fouled by Kilmarnock defender David Lilley. Alan Thompson made no mistake in converting his second penalty kick of the week.
The three points appeared to be in the bag now, but Killie seemed to step up a gear and go at the Celtic defence. They had a penalty claim turned down, when Didier Agathe won the ball in the Celtic area. It was a fine challenge and Jim Jeferries and his crazy assistant Billy Brown got a wee bit too excited and almost got sent to the stand.
Unbelievably, some Celtic supporters felt the urge to leave the stadium with fifteen minutes to go. This is outrageous and if I had my way I would lock everyone inside until the final whistle.
The early leavers missed Kilmarnock's consolation goal in the dying minutes of the game. It was a good move but once again, terrible defending from the Champions. Colin Nish was the goalscorer, and Killie deserved a goal for the way the went about attacking us for a change.
Next stop Ibrox, and if tomorrow, Livingston treat Rangers like they did us a couple of weeks ago, maybe we'll see a wee upset. Doubt it though.
We didn't play well today but won the game. At least we are getting the points and it was a joy to see McGeady's goal.
Celtic:
Marshall - 8
Varga - 7
McNamara - 6
Valgaeren - 7
Agathe - 6
Lennon - 9
Petrov - 7
Thompson - 7
McGeady - 7 (Wallace - 6)
Camara - 6 (Beattie - 6)
Hartson - 8
Come On The Hoops Man Of The Match: Neil Lennon
Come On The Hoops Moment To Remember: McGeady's goal. Pure class.
Come On The Hoops Moment To Forget: The pathetic Killie support. A busload.