Vidar Riseth emerged the unlikely hero as Celtic established themselves as the main challengers to Rangers in the title run-in.

The Ibrox outfit remain 10 points ahead at the summit, but Riseth's 49th-minute header at Parkhead ensures Celtic displace Kilmarnock in second position.

Yet it was a far from convincing triumph for the home side against a Kilmarnock team who denied them space during what, but for one blemish, was a well-organised defensive display.

Sadly for Bobby Williamson's men it was their one moment of slackness which proved the difference, a Lubomir Moravcik corner picking out Riseth unmarked.

The Rugby Park outfit will still consider themselves in contention, but both the Old Firm sides are unbeaten since the winter shutdown creating and sustaining an ominous momentum.

There were no little tension in the closing stages as Celtic held on for what was ultimately an edgy win, but the victory, for all its flaws, was a vital objective achieved.

With Phil O'Donnell failing a late fitness test, Regi Blinker, who has been sidelined with a groin problem, made his first start since scoring against the same opposition on September 12.

Craig Burley and Darren Jackson were both restored to the bench, but Riseth was forced into an unhappy defensive role as Tom Boyd (stomach) and Alan Stubbs (ankle) were missing.

Celtic almost moved ahead in stunning fashion in the third minute as Moravcik exchanged passes with Henrik Larsson before unleashing a first-time volley which flashed just wide.

Kilmarnock's response was a fluid move which saw Alex Burke force Riseth into a blunder with a low cross and an Ally McCoist snap shot smothered well by Jonathan Gould.

An Iain Durrant challenge then prevented Harald Brattbakk turning in a Moravcik cross as the visitors, through Gary Holt and Martin Baker, tried without success to beat Gould from distance.

Kilmarnock's game plan was clearly to deny Celtic any space in which to settle into their usual goals routine and it worked as the home team lacked the movement upfield to counter the tactic.

Moravcik threaded a neat ball into the feet of Brattbakk on the half-hour but the chance vanished as soon as it had arrived with the Norwegian sluggish.

After 35 minutes, Moravcik sent a half-volley over the bar, while Kilmarnock keeper Gordon Marshall was equal to a powerful Blinker run and drive, his first real save of the contest.

Kilmarnock could, perhaps should, have moved ahead six minutes before the break as McCoist, looking offside, burst clear only for his shot to strike the inside of a post and rebound to safety.

Celtic moved ahead after 49 minutes when a curling Moravcik corner was met by a free header by Riseth who made no mistake at the near post.

Moments earlier another Moravcik flag kick had eluded every Celtic touch, but Riseth was on hand and unmarked to place a firm close range header past Marshall.

At once both the tempo and the mood of proceedings changed as the restless Celtic support relaxed and the players were able to be more patient in their approach.

Brattbakk might have done better with a far post Johan Mjallby cross, then the Norwegian was denied by Ray Montgomerie when clear on the last man virtually running into the defender.

Tosh McKinlay then hit a right-foot 20-yard effort against the outside of the post as Celtic looked for the second goal which would effectively seal the points.

After 73 minutes, Brattbakk, enterprising if not always effective, cut inside from the right before firing an angled drive that Marshall was able to push wide of the target.

The visiting keeper was again on hand to deny the same player in Celtic's next attack as Brattbakk battled his way into space only for his eventual strike to lack real venom.

Jackie McNamara tested Marshall again with three minutes remaining even though the late possession tended to be with Kilmarnock as Celtic held on grimly to what they had.

Teams

Celtic: Gould, Mahe, McNamara, Larsson, Brattbakk, Lambert, McKinlay, Blinker, Moravcik, Riseth, Mjallby.

Subs Not Used: Burley, Jackson, Healy, Burchill, Kerr.Booked: Mjallby.

Goals: Riseth 49.

Kilmarnock: Marshall, MacPherson, Montgomerie, McGowne, Reilly, Holt, Durrant, McCoist (Wright 71), Mahood (Roberts 89), Baker,Burke (Henry 76).

Subs Not Used: Lauchlan, Strain.

Booked: Baker, Mahood.

Att: 59,126

Ref: J McCluskey (Stewarton).