Post by Taxigirl on Oct 23, 2005 10:18:55 GMT
soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=189081&cc=5739
KO - 14:00 UK - Rugby Park
Kilmarnock striker Danny Invincibile has urged his team-mates to find the killer touch against Celtic.
The Ayrshire outfit have struggled against the Parkhead men in recent years and the Australian is yet to be on a winning side against the Old Firm since signing for them.
But the 26-year-old senses his first victory although he admits being ruthless in front of goal is the key.
Invincibile said: ``When you play the Old Firm they are going to have a lot of possession.
``They are going to keep the ball and you are not going to get many chances.
``It is vital you finish them off. If you get an early chance and take it that makes them play a bit more.
``We want them to come out and if we get an early goal that might leave a few more gaps so we can get a few more chances.
``It's hard at any time to create good opportunities so even the half ones we need to capitalise on. We have some good boys who can do it so we can score goals on Sunday.''
But Invincibile believes scoring against Celtic will be even harder now than under former boss Martin O'Neill.
After a shaky start, his successor Gordon Strachan has found a solid back four in Mo Camara, Bobo Balde, Stephen McManus and Paul Telfer which has impressed the Killie man.
``Yes they do look more solid,'' he added. ``We haven't played them so I'll be able to tell you more after the game.
``But they really had bad problems at the start of the season.
``I watched a few games and they weren't doing too well but they have come on in leaps and bounds.
``It takes a while for people to settle in, and a new manager has come in, but they are looking stronger than ever.
``It's going to be tougher for us but there's no reason why we can't do it.''
Killie manager Jim Jefferies has injury concerns over four players ahead of the clash.
Goalkeeper Alan Combe suffered a calf injury and Simon Ford a thigh problem as the Ayrshire outfit threw away a two-goal lead at Hibernian to lose 4-2.
Stephen Murray and Peter Leven are also rated doubtful having sustained hamstring and ankle injuries respectively in a midweek reserve game against their Hibs counterparts.
Kris Boyd has been struggling with a heavy cold but he is pushing for a start after coming off the bench last week.
Meanwhile, Celtic striker Craig Beattie insists the team have been buoyed by the positive news on defender John Kennedy.
The Scotland international, who was battling back from a long-term cruciate knee ligament injury, broke down in training last week prompting fears over his future.
But surgeon Dr Richard Steadman is confident the 22-year-old will make a full recovery after a fourth operation on the injury.
Now the Hoops' forward believes the raised spirits created by the good news will help the team at Kilmarnock.
Beattie said: ``Everybody at the club was gutted for John.
``Last week, when he broke down in training, the whole place was like a morgue.
``We were all devastated because he's worked so hard over the last 18 months.''
Beattie is now backing his team-mate to bounce back.
He added: ``All the young guys are close and we were with him the whole way along his recovery - especially Shaun Maloney as he went through he same knee operation.
``Working in the gym with John, I saw how strong he was mentally and it was like nothing had happened to him.
``It was just as if he was out there playing football and going to the gym to do a little bit extra.
``He was so mentally strong and that's a credit to himself.
``To be fair to John, he was that strong he didn't make it difficult to talk about it.
``He didn't sit about sulking, he just got on with it.''
Striker John Hartson has recovered from a back injury to take his place in the squad but fellow forward Maciej Zurawski is still sidelined with a hamstring injury.
KO - 14:00 UK - Rugby Park
Kilmarnock striker Danny Invincibile has urged his team-mates to find the killer touch against Celtic.
The Ayrshire outfit have struggled against the Parkhead men in recent years and the Australian is yet to be on a winning side against the Old Firm since signing for them.
But the 26-year-old senses his first victory although he admits being ruthless in front of goal is the key.
Invincibile said: ``When you play the Old Firm they are going to have a lot of possession.
``They are going to keep the ball and you are not going to get many chances.
``It is vital you finish them off. If you get an early chance and take it that makes them play a bit more.
``We want them to come out and if we get an early goal that might leave a few more gaps so we can get a few more chances.
``It's hard at any time to create good opportunities so even the half ones we need to capitalise on. We have some good boys who can do it so we can score goals on Sunday.''
But Invincibile believes scoring against Celtic will be even harder now than under former boss Martin O'Neill.
After a shaky start, his successor Gordon Strachan has found a solid back four in Mo Camara, Bobo Balde, Stephen McManus and Paul Telfer which has impressed the Killie man.
``Yes they do look more solid,'' he added. ``We haven't played them so I'll be able to tell you more after the game.
``But they really had bad problems at the start of the season.
``I watched a few games and they weren't doing too well but they have come on in leaps and bounds.
``It takes a while for people to settle in, and a new manager has come in, but they are looking stronger than ever.
``It's going to be tougher for us but there's no reason why we can't do it.''
Killie manager Jim Jefferies has injury concerns over four players ahead of the clash.
Goalkeeper Alan Combe suffered a calf injury and Simon Ford a thigh problem as the Ayrshire outfit threw away a two-goal lead at Hibernian to lose 4-2.
Stephen Murray and Peter Leven are also rated doubtful having sustained hamstring and ankle injuries respectively in a midweek reserve game against their Hibs counterparts.
Kris Boyd has been struggling with a heavy cold but he is pushing for a start after coming off the bench last week.
Meanwhile, Celtic striker Craig Beattie insists the team have been buoyed by the positive news on defender John Kennedy.
The Scotland international, who was battling back from a long-term cruciate knee ligament injury, broke down in training last week prompting fears over his future.
But surgeon Dr Richard Steadman is confident the 22-year-old will make a full recovery after a fourth operation on the injury.
Now the Hoops' forward believes the raised spirits created by the good news will help the team at Kilmarnock.
Beattie said: ``Everybody at the club was gutted for John.
``Last week, when he broke down in training, the whole place was like a morgue.
``We were all devastated because he's worked so hard over the last 18 months.''
Beattie is now backing his team-mate to bounce back.
He added: ``All the young guys are close and we were with him the whole way along his recovery - especially Shaun Maloney as he went through he same knee operation.
``Working in the gym with John, I saw how strong he was mentally and it was like nothing had happened to him.
``It was just as if he was out there playing football and going to the gym to do a little bit extra.
``He was so mentally strong and that's a credit to himself.
``To be fair to John, he was that strong he didn't make it difficult to talk about it.
``He didn't sit about sulking, he just got on with it.''
Striker John Hartson has recovered from a back injury to take his place in the squad but fellow forward Maciej Zurawski is still sidelined with a hamstring injury.