Killie 0 Celtic 1 - Hoops 3 points clear once more.

After a week of transfer gossip Celtic started the match going for their 3rd win in SPL over Killie this season. Celtic start the game with the same 11. Deployed in a  4-4-2 formation.

This reporter was glad to see the positioning of the players, with Jackie at RB, Laursen continuing at LB. Bobo and Varga ("all we need is stanislav varga") in centre with McGeady on the left, AT on right Lennon and Stan in middle, CS and BBJ up top.

A fairly drab first 25 minutes allows us to discuss some of the news in the week. When Celtic made bids for Paul Hartley of Hearts, Stefan Henchoz of Liverpool and took 2 players on trial. Polish international Marcin Burkhardt, with 9 for the poles, and the Cameroon defender Tchato, AT on Tchato

"He is a good player with a big physique," the Englishman said of tough-tackling defender Tchato. "He was told to calm down actually because he was kicking a few. So he will be welcome here then."

Henchoz signs before the weekend but Hearts dismiss Celtics 200k offer for the Celtic mad Hartley out of hand.

Wolves refuse to allow Southampton to take Camara on loan until the end of the season preferring an outright sale.

Stefan Klos suffers an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament in training. A devastating blow to the Rangers back line, especially after the sale of Boumsong, and the apparent attempt to sign Barry Fergusson falling through over the 6m transfer fee demanded by Blackburn.

Celtic, are pretty much in control in the game. Wind appears to be having a negative affect to the standard of passing, in opening half hour.

Celtic almost opened the scoring with only a couple of minutes on the clock and, ironically, it was Bobo Balde, potentially playing his last game for the club, who went close. An Alan Thompson cross reached him at the back post and his header beat Alan Combe but landed on top of the crossbar.

Killie had the ball in the net after 11 minutes through Steven Naysmith, but the assistant referee correctly indicated that it had gone over the goal-line before Gary McDonald cut it back to his team-mate.

Naysmith assaults Lennon twice in 15 seconds but no booking comes forth. Commentator on Celtic TV is heard to say of Naysmith "he's the sort of guy u want to slap and slap repeatedly"

Justice is done seconds later when Invincible handles the resulting AT cross from the free kick, as he challenges BBJ inside the penalty area. Referee Brines points to the spot without hesitation.

Sutton scores his 13th of season and 11th in SPL as he strokes it to Combe's left, another classy finish from the spot from CS.

Camera spans to old sour grapes Jeffries, the little brain was in overdrive thinking up his excuses for another imminent defeat to Celtic.

2nd half starts with no changes to either side, first five minutes prove pretty quiet.

Lovely move fom Celtic starts with McGeady beating 3 players as he comes across the halfway line and slides a pass to Laursen, a couple of first time passes from Laursen to AT and CS see a chance created for BBJ, only for a very poor flag to rule it offside.

Petrov was booked for rash tackle on 55mins followed shortly by another poor decision against BBJ as he muscled his way into the box. BBJ follows Petrov into the book on 57.

Some Ayrshire hun hits a decent shot from 25 yds well held by Douglas low to his left

Eventually a hun gets booked, McDonald for a late tackle on Laursen - who is having another good game at left back for the hoops.

Celtic are starting to play some decent football. Possession statistics  show 43-57 in favour of the Bhoys.

63mins corner on right, McGeady cross headed into net by BBJ, rightfully adjudged to have pushed defender and disallowed. More good work from McGeady deep in his own half beats 2 and feeds AT, first time pass to Petrov who wins corner Keeper comes and claims McGeady cross.

Celtic in control as Naysmith after plenty of fouling is taken off without being booked to a good reception from the Killie mob.

Sutton wins free kick on edge of area on 68, elaborate free kick from AT , McGeady and Petrov results in corner, McGeady lays corner to edge of area but AT blasts over,

MON decides to take McGeady off for Camara, a well used tactic from MON in recent weeks to sow up the midfield by dropping Sutton in alongside Lennon and Petrov going wide right

Camara looks lively when he comes on and leads to calls for him to get a start on Celtic TVs coverage. AT carves out a great chance for BBJ and he flicks it over the keeper from 8yds but hits the crossbar, a little unlucky as it appeared to hit a bobble in front of him.

Camara's pace keeps in pass from Sutton and wins a corner on 90 mins.

Petrov taken out of the game by Hay which earns Hay a booking, and Celtic a chance to waste more time.  Ref blows up and Celtic take all 3 pts in a dogged performance to go 3 pts clear at top of the table.

Douglas, Robert 7
McNamara, Jackie 6
Balde, Dianbobo 7
Varga, Stanislav 6
Laursen, Ulrik 7
Petrov, Stilian 7
Lennon, Neil 7
Thompson, Alan 7
McGeady, Aidan 7
Sutton, Chris 7
Hartson, John 6

Substitutes
Marshall, David
Juninho
Lambert, Paul
Camara, Henri
Wallace, Ross
Lawson, Paul
McManus, Stephen

Goals Sutton pen 38

Bookings

Stilian Petrov 55 Unsporting behaviour
John Hartson  58 Unsporting behaviour
Neil Lennon  85 Dissent

Att 9723