Samaras stars as Celtic close in

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.

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