Killie need Max to put in an unbeatable performance

KEEPER KEY TO DENYING CELTS

- By Michael Baillie

FORMER Kilmarnock keeper Cammy Bell knew he had to perform to his maximum to shutout Celtic.

And he says current Killie No.1 Max Stryjek will have to be at the top of his game when the Hoops come calling to Rugby Park on Sunday.

Bell was between the sticks for three memorable Killie wins over Celtic. He kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory to deny Irish legend Robbie Keane on his Hoops debut in February 2010 and was man of the match when Killie won the 2012 League Cup final at Hampden.

A few months following that 1-0 cup success, Bell recorded another shutout as Killie won at Celtic Park for the first time in half a century.

And if Stuart Kettlewell’s side are to continue their unbeaten start to the season, then Bell knows Polish keeper Stryjek will need to be at his best.

Bell said: “Max will need to be on form but it’s always like that against Celtic. You always know you’re going to face a number of shots and you've got to be on your A-game to get a result.

“In the past when I managed to be in Kilmarnock teams that beat Celtic it was a real team effort.