Strachan explains duo's departure

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan explained that Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink had lost too much blood to carry on against Kilmarnock.

"It was a bad one," Strachan said about the striker's head injury during his side's 1-0 win. "He burst a blood vessel and we couldn't take a chance."

Vennegoor of Hesselink departed after 17 minutes along with recently-signed right-back Andreas Hinkel.

"Andreas did not train yesterday with a virus and picking up a thigh strain."

Interview: Celtic manager Gordon Strachan

Strachan did not think his side were fortunate, despite a Martyn Corrigan own goal being all that separated the sides.

Alan Combe has been fantastic again against us Celtic manager Gordon Strachan

And he pointed to a superb display by Kilmarnock's goalkeeper.

"Alan Combe has been fantastic again against us," said the Celtic manager.

"But Artur Boruc had nothing to do, there was some nice football out there and even the goal was a nice build up.

"I think Chris Killen was putting it in anyway if he didn't touch it into his own net.

"They played the way we wanted to play, even considering we lost two international players within minutes of each other."