Shiels urges Killie players to celebrate

Kenny Shiels claimed he and his Kilmarnock players got a monkey off their back with their historic win over Celtic at Parkhead on Saturday – and not just because it was their first victory in the east end of Glasgow for 57 years.

Former Celt Cillian Sheridan scored two minutes before the break and midfielder Liam Kelly slammed in the second goal in a 2-0 win from the penalty spot just after the hour.

A delighted Shiels reflected back to March when Kilmarnock’s League Cup final celebrations following their win over Celtic at Hampden were cut short following the sudden death of midfielder Kelly’s father, Jack.

Shiels said: “I am happy for the supporters. The boys created history. Two generations of supporters haven’t experienced a victory here for Kilmarnock and it makes me so proud to hopefully give them some satisfaction and help them to enjoy their weekend. But the person I am happy most for is Liam Kelly.

“He didn’t get a chance to truly celebrate beating the best team in Scotland in the cup final in March. It was silent in our dressing-room in March but today there was a freedom of celebration, we have beaten the best team in Scotland and there is no better feeling. We have the chance to celebrate now without feeling guilty about it.”