Martin O’Neill and Mark Fotheringham took a break from preparations for this evening’s Flag Day opener at Celtic Park, as they took in St Johnstone’s clash with Kilmarnock at McDiarmid Park yesterday afternoon…
The Celtic manager and Fozzy were pictured in the Perth stands, with Celtic legend and current Dunfermline boss Neil Lennon also in attendance as the newly promoted Championship Champions got the better of Neil McCann’s Kilmarnock side.
It was the visitors that the veteran Irishman, and his assistant were keen on having a closer look at, as we take on Neil McCann’s men at Rugby Park next Sunday afternoon in the second round of the Premiership fixtures.
They were all treated to a thrilling contest as the Perthshire Saints snatched all three points in a dramatic 4-3 victory. The Celtic management team will have noted the away side’s attacking intent under McCann, but will have also have taken some comfort in Kilmarnock’s shaky looking defence, something that the likes of Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh will look to test to the limit.
Our last visit to Rugby Park back in February was a memorable one, as a dramatic last gasp strike by Julian Araujo earned the Hoops a vital three points after fighting back from two goals down, a result that proved significant in the final standings three months later.
That day badly exposed our defensive frailties, and as good as it was to win the game in such dramatic fashion, the way we performed that day was rather worrying, although to be fair it wasn’t the first time we witnessed that last season. Kasper Schmeichel was in goals that day and his shoulder injury was clearly causing him bother.
Let’s hope next week’s trip down the M77 sees us put in a more productive all round performance, which sees us win the game, preferably by a few goals. It will also be the first time in many years that we will play Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on a grass surface.
Of course, taking on the Ayrshire outfit will take a back seat until we negotiate this evening’s Scottish Premiership opener at Celtic Park against Dundee. A 3-0 win over Steven Pressley’s side would see Celtic go to the top of the league with a two points lead over the Rangers and a three points advantage over Hearts.
See you at Paradise this evening and let’s make some Noise for the Bhoys…
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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