Celtic maintain lead with Rugby Park win

Edouard, Griffiths and Jullien on target as Hoops see off Kilmarnock KILMARNOCK 1 CELTIC 3

Celtic kept Ladbrokes Premiership title challengers Rangers at arm’s length for another day with a 3-1 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Hoops striker Odsonne Edouard fired the visitors into the lead in the 25th minute before strike partner Leigh Griffiths added a second in the 50th minute with a drive.

The Parkhead side looked to be cruising before Killie striker Nicke Kabamba reduced the deficit in the 66th minute but a Christopher Jullien header from a corner seven minutes later clinched the victory.

The start to the match was certainly lively with Celtic showing early intent.

Griffiths, partnering Edouard in a 3-5-2 formation, slipped on the artificial surface when he broke into Kilmarnock’s penalty area in the fourth minute, with Edouard also unsteady seconds later.

Returning defender Jozo Simunovic’s powerful header from a Griffiths corner was brilliantly clawed away from the line by Jan Koprivec, and then the Rugby Park keeper made a good save from the Scotland striker’s 25-yard free-kick.

However, in between, the 31-year-old Slovenia cap, making only his second

Killie appearance, badly misjudged an aerial challenge with Griffiths and the ball broke to Edouard, who missed the unguarded goal with a shot.

Callum Mcgregor had an equally good opportunity when he burrowed his way into the box but he too somehow missed the target from 14 yards.

However, when Edouard got a second chance he made no mistake.

Celtic wing-back Jeremie Frimpong skipped past Niko Hamalainen down the right and his cross into the box was trapped by the 22-year-old attacker, who rolled Killie midfielder Alan Power before driving the ball between the legs of Koprivec from eight yards.

Alex Dyer’s side wobbled under further pressure but held out until the interval.

Kabamba, making his first start after signing from Hartlepool, watched his curling shot from the edge of the box at the start of the second half deflect past for a corner, but that came to nothing.

However, moments later Koprivec allowed Griffiths’ low drive from a Mcgregor pass to beat him at his near post.

Koprivec saved from Edouard in the 62nd minute after the striker eased past Stuart Findlay, who was perhaps lucky his opponent chose to stay on his feet inside the box after his challenge.

Celtic looked in complete control but when Kamamba redirected a Power shot past Forster, the home side took heart.

The visitors kept their heads, however, and Jullien restored their twogoal lead when he powered in a header from a Griffiths corner.

Frimpong was stretchered off near the end after a challenge by Power.

Picture: SNS Group. Christopher Jullien gets up highest to head in Celtic’s third goal.