Soccer

Celtic move to within a point of Aberdeen after impressive display

Emilio Izaguirre and Stefan Scepovic on the mark as Ronny Deila’s side dominate at Rugby Park

Celtic’s Emilio Izaguirre opens the scoring in the Scottish Premierships match against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. Photograph: Jeff Holmes/PA
Mon Jan 05 2015 - 22:22

Kilmarnock 0 Celtic 2

Celtic closed the gap on Scottish Premiership leaders Aberdeen to one point with a convincing 2-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

The returning Kris Commons hit the bar twice in the first-half before left back Emilio Izaguirre drove the dominant visitors ahead in the 36th minute.

Striker Stefan Scepovic, also handed a rare start by boss Ronny Deila, made it 2-0 from close range in the 71st minute but that goal did not come close to reflecting the grip the champions had on a one-sided affair.

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While having a game in hand over the Dons, Deila takes his side off to a winter break in Gran Canaria on Tuesday morning – they will play PSV Eindhoven and Sparta Prague – with next week’s game against St Johnstone cancelled.

However, following such an impressive victory in Ayrshire they will return to resume the title battle full of confidence.