Kilmarnock, soundly beaten by Celtic at Parkhead earlier in the season, proved
frustrating opposition for the Coca-Cola Cup winners in a goalless but
entertaining draw in the rain.
Central defenders Jim Lockland and Kevin McGowne were more than a match for
the inform Henrik Larsson and the recalled Simon Donnelly.
Chances in the game were few and far between with neither goalkeeper getting
many opportunities to shine.
The visitors began brightly with Andy Thom causing problems on the left and
his 11th minute shot was bang on target but Dragoje Lekovic held the ball
comfortably under the crossbar.
Larsson then set up Donnelly on the right but his shot was deflected past by
Lekovic for a corner.
Donnelly returned the compliment a few minutes later with a perfect cross
inside for Larsson but the striker headed wide of the goal with only the goal
keeper to beat.
Ironically, Celtic's closest first-half effort came from Killie MacPherson,
who misjudged yet another Donnelly cross and headed the ball inches over his own
bar.
At times play became a bit torrid and in a hectic three-minute spell before
the interval Paul Lambert, Tom Boyd and Jerome Varelle were all yellow-carded
After the break the home side posed more of a threat to Celtic with French
striker Varelle upsetting the visitors with his powerful running.
He almost set up the opener for Kilmarnock in the 41st minute but his cross
from the right was intercepted by Stubbs with Pat Nevin waiting unmarked in the
middle.
On the other mark Nevin wasted a great opportunity when he rose to meet a
Dillon cross but the winger sent the ball wide of the target with a goal at his
mercy.
Just after that Killie had a strong penalty appeal turned down when Boyd
appeared to foul Paul Wright in the box but referee Mike McCurry waved aside the
appeal.
Boyd was then fortunate to avoid a second yellow card when he brought down
Varelle as the Frenchman burst clear.
In a hectic final 10-minute spell both sides had opportunities to grab a
winner but the game ended with a point a piece.
Teams:
Kilmarnock: Lekovic, MacPherson, Kerr, Lauchlan, McGowne, Holt,
Nevin, Reilly, Wright, Vareille, Burke (Henry 74).
Subs Not Used: Mitchell, Roberts.
Booked: MacPherson, Vareille.
Celtic: Gould, Boyd, Mahe, McNamara, Rieper, Stubbs, Larsson,
Burley, Donnelly, Lambert, Thom (Jackson 69).
Subs Not Used: Annoni, Hannah.
Booked: Boyd, Mahe, Lambert.
Att: 15,632
Ref: M McCurry (Glasgow).
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