A Georgios Samaras double earned Celtic a 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock and took the Hoops to within a point of Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders Rangers ahead of Wednesday night's Old Firm game at Parkhead.
The Greece striker headed the home side into the lead in first-half injury time and scored his second with a fine drive seven minutes after the break to make it eight SPL wins in a row for Celtic.
Killie substitute Danny Racchi scored a consolation with three minutes remaining, but with Rangers losing at St Mirren, the Hoops now have a chance to go top of the table heading into 2012.
Source: PA
