Celtic Kick The Season Off With A Solid Win Over Kilmarnock

Though Strachan And Quinn Worry More Over Summer's Press Reports

Despite a below par pre-season, normal service was resumed at Parkhead on Saturday last as champions Celtic proved that they are more than a match for the rest of the SPL by beating Kilmarnock 4-1. The league flag was raised prior to the game by Chairman Brian Quinn who reminded the fans that while press reports during the summer spoke of a crises at Celtic nothing could take away from the fact that the Bhoys were SPL Champions and intend to stay in that position.

As for the game itself first-half goals from new signing Jiri Jarosik and Maciej Zurawski, who added another on the final whistle, and a late free-kick from Shunsuke Nakamura gave Celtic three points and put them atop the SPL. After the game Gordon Strachan echoed the feelings of his Chairman toward the press: "This must be the only club in the world where you win the league by 17 points and feel pressure before the next season starts," he said. "We played stunning football and won convincingly - what more can a manager ask?"

With a lucrative trip to Japan this week, Strachan also eased the fears of those who feel the 15,000mile journey is asking too much from his squad. "Some players will be left behind but, yes, it is true that we're contractually obliged to field a number of first-team regulars."

Former Rangers player Kenny Miller who made a competitive debut on Saturday spoke after the defeat of Killie of his new found love of all things in green and white. "The reception I got was great and the fans have been very welcoming since I came here. Everyone has been really encouraging me, whether it was in the Everton game, the Man United game or on Saturday. I'm absolutely delighted with the response that I have had from the fans so far. It's made it easier for me to settle in and has made the transition easier." Miller continued. "It was great to play in front of a massive home crowd and start the way we wanted to. The goal midway through the first half settled everybody down. We're not getting carried away because we've got a tough game against Hearts next, but that's obviously the start we wanted. Hopefully we can carry that form on this weekend."

Fellow new-Bhoy Jiri Jarosik was also delighted with his debut, which included a 38th minute goal. "We have Nakamura on the right and he is a very good player so I think I will be playing in the middle. For my goal I got into the box with some space. A good cross came in and I managed to score my first goal for the club. I think I can score a few goals from the centre," he added, "and the more players who can score goals for the team the better. We will need to score a lot of goals to win the title because we know Rangers and Hearts will be strong teams this year. I hope to be playing regularly and want to score goals and help the club to win the championship again."

Reports from Italy on Monday claim Celtic manager Gordon Strachan is interested in signing the Messina midfielder Carmine Coppola. Coppola, an Italian international, has spent the past five seasons with the Sicilian side and helped them win promotion to Serie A in 2004 and made 34 Serie A appearances in 2004/05, when Messina finished 7th in their first season in the top flight. However, the 27-year-old - who has been linked with Spurs in the past - could be on his way out of the club this summer, and reports clam Strachan has set his sights on bringing him to Parkhead.

More reports claim Bulgaria left-back Ivaylo Petkov will sign for Celtic by the end of the week. The 30-year-old, whose contract has ended with Turkish club Ankaragucu, says his agent has already spoken to Gordon Strachan and Peter Lawell. "Celtic want me and I want to go there," he said. "That's why I believe a deal will be done in a couple of days. I think I will travel to Scotland after Celtic's match with Yokohama." Gordon Strachan has said he no regrets over allowing John Hartson to leave the club, despite being unable to find a replacement for the high-scoring Welshman. The 31-year-old scored 109 goals in five seasons at Parkhead but left Glasgow for West Brom in a £500,000 deal this summer. Asked if he had any regrets letting Hartson go, Strachan said: "I have no regrets whatsoever in life. We are looking for a striker because we're short in that area."