Bhoys Sink Kille As Boruc In Line For Poland Recall

Kilmarnock 1 Celtic 3

By Tony Quinn

Two goals from Georgios Samaras helped Celtic to a comfortable 3-1 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park and took them to second place in the SPL. It was a game that saw three penalties - one missed - and a sending off. Shaun Maloney curled home the opener in 25 minutes following a penalty which he struck wide after he had been tripped inside the box by Killie defender Garry Hay. Samaras then scored a great solo goal 10 minutes after the break and an 80th minute penalty before Killie midfielder Mehdi Taouil scored a consolation from the spot after Celtic defender Gary Caldwell was sent off for handling a Simon Ford header on the line.

Before the kick-off against Killie some Celtic held banners aloft comparing the Rugby Park ticket prices unfavorably with games in other leagues in Europe which may explain the smaller than normal traveling support for the Bhoys.

After the game Samaras, who took his tally to seven goals in four SPL games, was asked what he felt he could achieve at Celtic: "No limits. No-one has limits," he said. "It's how hard you push yourself. I know I feel good after that performance and after I scored the goals but I will watch the game on television and see my mistakes and try to correct those mistakes. Every week I feel better and better and that's why you see the difference between when I first came in to the team and now. I feel really good at the moment."

Gordon Strachan has criticized the reaction of Killie defender Frazer Wright after Celtic were awarded their second penalty. Shunsuke Nakamura was brought down by Craig Bryson and Wright appeared to slap the Japan midfielder, a reaction Strachan feels has been virtually ignored. "I think if you look in the rules, if you pull someone by the jersey [it's a penalty]," he said. "You didn't see it properly on television because the camera was at the wrong side but the referee saw it right away. What surprisingly wasn't shown too often was Nakamura getting a slap in the head by one of their players. Now trust me, if that had been a Celtic or Rangers player, it might even have made the front page of some of the tabloids. Imagine if it had been Neil Lennon in his heyday?"

Nakamura's agent has reportedly flown into Glasgow in order to discuss how and when the Japan international will leave Celtic and move back home. With less than a year left on his current deal and his oldest child about to start school, speculation suggests the 30-year-old may leave Parkhead in January. According to the reports, Robert Takuda will hold talks with Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell. Yokohama Marinos apparently want to sign Nakamura in January, and may have already held talks about such a deal.

Inter Milan striker Hernan Crespo has been omitted from Jose Mourinho's squad, and has said that he will be looking at his future in January. With Adriano, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mario Balotelli all in front of him, Crespo is not likely to get a place in Mourinho's team, and he knows that his without first-team football, he is also likely to be overlooked by Argentina. It was reported in the summer that Crespo was in Glasgow to discuss a possible move to Celtic, and now that his chances at Inter have disappeared, it is possible that the striker may think about a move. Crespo said: "Nobody told me that I would not be playing in the league games or that I wasn't in the Champions League squad. I have to wait and see how things go. My decision is to wait until January."

Poland boss Leo Beenhakker has hinted that axed goalkeeper Artur Boruc could soon be back in the No. 1 jersey. Boruc was reportedly fined by Celtic and dropped indefinitely by Poland over separate incidents. However, it appears the 'keeper has now been handed an international reprieve. The Dutch trainer said: "Artur is an important member of our squad and we want him to come back, but it must be on the right terms. He's one of the big stars of Polish football and the fans want him back, too."

Celtic's former Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas says Aiden McGeady could light up the Spanish Liga. He said: "Aiden is skilful and quick. He could play in Spain if he wanted - as could other players at this club as they have the talent to do so. But I hope Aiden stays. I don't want him to go anywhere else. This is a good club to be with and I don't think any players here have reason to envy the Spanish players."