KEVIN GRAHAM
Can we ask for much more? It was functional, fearless and occasionally fresh-thinking. We had a set-play threat all night and deservedly got a goal from one of the many great deliveries, which sometimes went unrewarded.
Odsonne had no right to score that goal. His touch, awareness and composure made that goal. There is definitely mileage in the partnership upfront. They linked better as the game went on as we sliced and diced the Kilmarnock defence. We need to be clinical. As we go on, we will require razor-sharp thinking and need to be quicker at getting the shots away when presented with chances.
One down, 17 to go.
Listen to the latest episode of the award-winning A Celtic State of MindKEVIN O’ROURKE
I was a bit nervous before the game tonight, we haven’t always played well in Ayrshire and the surface isn’t ideal for the game we’d like to play at times.
A 3-1 comfortable win is an ideal base on which to build on going into the second half of the season.
I thought Griffiths and Edouard looked sharp playing together up top, not sure if it will stay that way once players come back from injury but it’s encouraging to see that we can change the setup if needs be.
An encouraging start to the new year and hopefully the wins keep coming.
COLIN WATT
Well, what was all the worrying about? As comfortable a performance at Rugby Park as we’ve had over the last few seasons, the 3-5-2 experiment seemed to work.
Both Frimpong and Hayes bombing forward kept Kilmarnock on the back foot for long periods of the game. Ntcham, McGregor and Brown commanded the midfield, whilst the link-up play of Edouard and Griffiths was outstanding at times.
Three fantastic goals tonight and it could’ve and should’ve been so much more. This is the performance we all wanted on Saturday and now we have to build on this and take the confidence on to Ross County on Saturday.
DAVID SLEIGHT
Celtic prevailed comfortably in swirling mist at Rugby Park. An outrageous first-half strike from Edouard, a typical poacher’s goal from Griffiths and a Jullien header (from a corner!) that fairly bulleted into the net cancelled out a counter from Killie’s Kabamba.
Celtic, as is often the case, were guilty of over-elaborating in the final third and their general play should have yielded more than three goals. Griffiths and Edouard linked up well, and Frimpong was outstanding on the right before his evening was curtailed minutes before the end following a heavy challenge by Power. The young Dutchman left the field on a stretcher and looked in some distress. The Celtic family will be praying that his injury is not a serious one.
ANDREW RAFFERTY
Jeremie Frimpong was tireless up and down the wing, and he contributed to this victory with two assists. This was in stark contrast to the absence of any threat from Jonny Hayes down the left. Frimpong’s injury looked a sore one and we all hope he’s back soon, but he looked in real pain when coming off.
Leigh Griffiths chipped in with another goal and an assist, as well as reacting to getting some jip being dished out from the Killie fans near to the dugout. Meanwhile, his strike partner, Odsonne Edouard, showed great composure and skills for his goal.
🍀 A CELTIC STATE OF MIND
⭐️ Man of the Match
🏆 Kilmarnock 1 Celtic 3
1️⃣ Odsonne Edouard
2️⃣ Leigh Griffiths
3️⃣ Scott Brown
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