Great result sets up Celtic clash

Last updated : 09 August 2004 By Brian Murray
Saturday's victory over Hibernian in Edinburgh was the perfect start to the season for Jim Jefferies men.

The fixture list had not been king to Killie, following up the trip to Easter Road with a home tie with Celtic before heading off to Edinburgh again with a visit to Tynecastle and Hearts.

A defeat by the rejuvenated Hibs team could have signalled a dire start to the campaign, adding momentum to the press speculation over Jefferies future. But as the manager explained, there is nothng to lose in the next two tough matches. "We were probably given the hardest start of any of the teams, and you could have thought that to come away from games at Hibs and Hearts, and Celtic at home with three draws we wold have done well. Well, that would give us three points, which is what we have now,so it culdn't be any better for us."

Alan Combe's display in goal was exactly what the travelling supporters wanted to see, while David Lilley put in a solid performance beside Freddy Dindeleux in the troublesome central defensive area.

In a day when there were only positives to take from a match with Kris Boyd getting off the mark quickly with a trademark thunderous freekick, Eric Joly's 45 minutes confirmed that he will be a real asset when he is match-fit.

All of a sudden, rather than fearing the visit of Celtic, it is a match to be relished. Killie gave them a real fright in April when Mike McCurry helped The Hoops secure the title with a 1-0 victory, and Saturday's win will put the wind in our sails against the Larsson-less 'Tic. I smell a surprise in the air.