Celtic go for goals against Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock 0, Celtic 2 (half-time)

Chris Sutton gave Celtic hope of the championship with a first-half double at Rugby Park – but they still chased goals on a thrilling final day in the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

Balde was looking to make amends for his heartbreaking sending-off in midweek and he should have doubled their lead in the 20th minute.

Lambert this time swung in an inviting cross to the far post where the giant defender crept up, but was stretching as he headed just past the upright.

Henrik Larsson was also looking to pick himself up despite scoring twice in Seville, but he too should have done better a minute later.

Didier Agathe and Stilian Petrov combined well down the right and the Bulgarian picked out the Swede, who twisted but could not find the power to beat Marshall.

Larsson was waiting for the cross in the 25th minute, but Petrov delayed and Mahood got back to head over his own crossbar.

News again filtered through that Rangers had gone 3-1 up, but Celtic kept pressing for goals and the Swede again went close in the 35th minute when he headed Thompson’s cross over from nine yards.

Marshall in the Kilmarnock goal looked as edgy as the Hoops fans and he failed to cut out Thompson’s cross, but there was none of his team-mates there to pounce.

The Kilmarnock goalkeeper made a big error in the 41st minute when he spilt Larsson’s stinging shot, but he managed to block Petrov’s follow-up effort.

But Sutton did double Celtic’s lead just three minutes before the end when Thompson’s cross hit him but fell nicely for him to prod the ball past Marshall from close range.

Varga then missed an absolute sitter from five yards when Thompson’s corner was not cleared, but he flicked the ball over the top.