Irish duo Murphy and Stokes rescue Celtic

NEIL LENNON praised his players after Irish duo Daryl Murphy and Anthony Stokes grabbed a goal apiece as Celtic came from behind for the first time this season in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League to beat Kilmarnock at Rugby Park yesterday.

Celtic’s win came only after Conor Sammon had given Killie a shock lead after only seven minutes.

The Parkhead men reasserted themselves however, and just before the break, Stokes, on for the injured Paddy McCourt, was brought down by Frazer Wright and Murphy netted the penalty. Stokes converted an Emilio Izaguirre cross from close range in the 51st minute for his first goal since signing from Hibernian and in the end the visitors ran out deserved winners.

“I’m delighted that we showed a lot character and as the game wore on, we got stronger and stronger,’’ Lennon said.

KILMARNOCK: Bell, Clancy (Kelly 77), Wright, Pascali, Hay (Rui Miguel 72), Eremenko, Hamill, Bryson, Gordon, Sammon, Forrester (Invincibile 67). Subs Not Used: Letheren, Taouil, Old, Owens. Booked: Wright, Pascali, Gordon. Goals: Sammon 7.

CELTIC: Forster, Cha, Loovens, Majstorovic, Izaguirre, Kayal (Ki 77), Brown (Juarez 46), Ledley, McCourt (Stokes 22), Murphy, Maloney. Subs Not Used: Zaluska, Rogne, Filip Twardzik, Samaras. Booked: Loovens, Stokes.

Referee: C Thomson (Scotland).