They say it’s the mark of champions to be able to grind out a win when you’re not at your best. However, it’s a sign of the problems in our squad when we leave Rugby Park with the home side feeling, quite rightly, unfortunate to lose.
Ronny’s line-up had a distinctly more attacking outlook to it, something a section of the fans have been clamouring for. However, giving Griffiths, Kazim-Richards and Commons the role of attacking support is a bit like asking Pavarotti to perform in Redditch Community Theatre Group’s performance of ‘The Buddy Holly Story’.
Injuries to Mackay-Steven and Allan coupled with the inexplicable exclusion of Johansen from the starting 11 didn’t help. It was apparent though before a ball was even kicked that this was a line-up devoid of much by way of attacking guile. Even though it’s understandable why Armstrong has been benched for a few games now, he can’t possibly have done any worse than what was picked to play out wide.
And, sure enough, Kilmarnock started hungrier. You know you’re in for a long afternoon when Kris Boyd can run clean through on goal so early on. Gordon to the rescue.
This was a first-half performance that was all too similar to the Dundee game. McGregor was the only player who looked remotely interested, but the midfield were static and two-thirds of the strike force were about as dangerous as… well Kris Boyd. In fact, probably less so.
After the interval Commons was hooked in place of Roberts. It was a slight improvement but, once again, raw talent – little substance – needs time to develop – what’s the point in playing him if he’s not our player… Is this sounding familiar?
Credit where credit is due to Kilmarnock. Bear in mind they were playing without top goalscorer Magennis and had to replace Boyd after about 50 minutes when his old joints started tightening. All the while Scott Brown was making Real Madrid look like they would rue the decision not to make Julien Faubert a permanent signing with the way he was being out-fought by the Frenchman.
It was turning into another one of those games when Ronny finally sent on Rogić to blaze the ball past MacDonald in the final minute. Truly phenomenal goal from a seriously important player this season. It was almost literally the only positive to take from the game from a Celtic point of view.
In all, it was another dire showing from all but a few in Green and White.
I read on social media that some Celtic fans are taking a liking to Colin Kazim-Richards because he’s an ‘honest player’ and ‘doesn’t hide’. Well I wish he would start pretending to be a professional footballer then and ditch the honest approach. Woeful performance.
Biton had a ‘mare, Brown was having trouble completing five-yard passes unless the receiver was wearing blue and white, and I’m not sure I even remember the last time Charlie Mulgrew tackled someone that didn’t play for Morton or East Kilbride.
The overall emotion was of sheer relief after this one. Motherwell did us a turn against Aberdeen but this level of performance is desperate. Hopefully this result will spur us on to better things as only a dramatic game at Rugby Park can (see Stokes, Anthony and Lennon, Neil).
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