Sutton strikes, Balde on move

Kilmarnock 0 Celtic 1

Chris Sutton again illustrated how important he is to the champions, scoring the winning goal at Rugby Park yesterday, but his teammate’s future once again dominated the press conference.

News that the 29-year-old defender had been to The Riverside for medical checks suggested he was set to sign a pre-contract deal or move during the transfer window.

But while Balde looks certain to be on his way out of Parkhead, the Northern Irishman would have no qualms about him seeing out his current contract until the summer.

O’Neill said: “I assume he will make his decision pretty soon. He might well decide to sign a pre-contract with one of the clubs he has had offers from, or go now depending on an approach which hasn’t happened. But that’s his prerogative.

“I would like him to stay. I would draw comparisons with when Newcastle came in for him at the last minute. We said no and he said fine and got on with it.

“I’m hoping that he will have that attitude until the end of the season but he hasn’t signed for anybody yet. I think that is what he did (went for a medical), but he wants to take his time because it is a big decision for him.

“He is pretty happy at the club and it only seems 10 minutes ago that we signed him from Toulouse. He has been terrific for us and I would be sad to see him go. I will be in a better position to say more on Monday or Tuesday evening, but if he stays until the end of the season then I wouldn’t have any problems.”

But O’Neill confirmed he would not be continuing his interest in Cameroon international full-back Bill Tchato after his recent trial.

He said: “I have made a decision and we won’t be doing anything on that. I was pleased his agent went to the trouble to bring him over, but in the games we sorted out he didn’t look in the best of shape.”

Indeed, O’Neill’s team do look in good shape as they regained their three-pointlead over Rangers at the topof the Bank of Scotland Premier League. Sutton scored his seventh goal in eightgames from the penalty spot after Danny Invincibile had strangely handled the ball in the area.

“I suppose when I analyse the game it was relatively comfortable and in the first half we did well. We had some great chances and missed them and then we got some great news with the penalty which was an inexplicable reaction from a player.

“That is the sort of one that drives you insane and you can have no complaint with it.

“You really don’t know why people do it but ithappens every week,” said O’Neill.

KILMARNOCK: Combe, Lilley, Ford, Fontaine, Hay, Naismith (Johnston 67), Leven, Locke, McDonald, Boyd (Nish 57), Invincibile (Wales 80).

CELTIC: Douglas, McNamara, Balde, Varga, Laursen, Petrov, Lennon, Thompson, McGeady (Camara 70), Sutton, Hartson.

Referee: I Brines.