Kilmarnock 2 Glasgow Celtic 4

Last updated : 14 August 2004 By Footymad Previewer

It was doubles all round for Celtic as Alan Thompson and John Hartson each scored twice to give the champions three points at Rugby Park.

But once again, they were assisted by a controversial refereeing decision from Mike McCurry. Killie assistant manager Billy Brown was dragged before a disciplinary panel after McCurry last refereed this fixture and McCurry will be no more popular in Ayrshire this morning.

Kilmarnock defender David Lilley was sent off a minute before half-time when the scores were level for deliberate handball after appearing to be nudged into the ball by Chris Sutton.

The pair were racing into the Killie box when Lilley's hand flew up and stopped the ball. Alan Thompson rubbed salt into the Killie wounds by scoring direct from the resultant free-kick to put his side ahead for the first time.

Kilmarnock were forced into making one change to the side which won at Hibs due to Danny Invincibile's hamstring injury, Rhian Dodds taking his place. Celtic boss Martin O'Neill resisted the opportunity to bring Bobo Balde back into his side, naming the same starting line-up which cruised past Motherwell.

Celtic were uncharacteristically slow out of the blocks, and it was no surprise when Kilmarnock took the lead in the 12th minute. Kris Boyd and Gary MacDonald had already passed up chances for the home side when James Fowler ballooned a cross from the right wing.

Tiny Stevie Murray had acres of space at the far post, and his looping header was brilliantly tipped over by David Marshall. From the resultant corner, MacDonald nipped in at the front post to head Gary Locke's cross firmly home.

Celtic responded superbly, as they raced upfield. Hartson showed his strength, holding off the Freddy Dindeleux's challenge and delicately rolled the ball home via the far post.

Celtic almost went in front in the 20th minute. Jackie McNamara glided to the bye-line and cut the ball back perfectly for Hartson, but Alan Combe was well positioned in the Killie goal to block the striker's effort.

Kilmarnock were still pushing forward and deservedly regained the advantage in the 28th minute. Dodds did well to control an awkwardly bouncing ball near the dead ball line and drilled over a cross.

Keeper Marshall could only parry the ball into the path of Gary Wales who had the simple task of finishing.

The champions still looked lethargic, particularly in defence but Hartson and Sutton's strength rattled the Killie rearguard.

Kilmarnock looked comfortable in front, but were undone by a goal of real quality. Sutton held the ball up in midfield and spotted Thompson making a darting run from the left wing.

Sutton played the pass perfectly into Thompson's stride and his first touch took him past Combe and he finished decisively.

The first half ended in controversy with Lilley's sending-off. Thompson was not affected by the furore and he hammered the free-kick through the defensive wall for the killer third goal.

Killie's ten men battled hard in the second half, but never looked likely to get back into the match, and the match was over as a contest in the 70th minute when Hartson rose at the far post to bullet home a header from Thompson's perfectly floated free-kick.