Murphy expects tough Killie test

06 May 2011 08:30

Celtic striker Daryl Murphy is bracing himself for another tough test against Kilmarnock even though the Hoops won 4-0 at Rugby Park last month.

Neil Lennon's men are still reeling from their shock defeat to Inverness midweek, which cost them the chance to move top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. With three games to go, Rangers are now favourites to retain their crown as they head into the weekend action with a single-point advantage at the summit.

They play host to Hearts on Saturday, before Celtic make the trip to Kilmarnock 24 hours later. Murphy said: "Before the Inverness game we knew that there were four games to finish the season and none of them were going to be easy."

He added: "No-one was going to gift us the games or the title and it is still the case against Kilmarnock.

"They are going to be up for it.

"But we have to think positive and go and win the last three games.

"We are obviously disappointed we didn't win the game at Inverness or get a draw, which would have been a good result.

"But we really weren't at the races even though we knew that we were going to get a tough game from them.

"We have three games left to turn it around. We have to win those games and whatever else happens, happens."

Celtic will be without Beram Kayal, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a fractured wrist sustained against Inverness.

Source: PA