Killen scores as Celticboro beat Barnsley

All five former Celtic players were in the Middlesbrough team tonight as Gordon Strachan celebrated his 53rd birthday with a 2-1 home win over Barnsley.

Scott McDonald made his 'Boro debut but it was Chris Killen that opened the scoring in the 24th minute.

The win takes Strachan's side to within two points of Leicester City who are sitting in the fourth play-off position and will be a big relief for Strachan.

Middlesbrough's form has been less than inspiring since the Celtic boss took over from Gareth Southgate but after a taking full advantage of the January transfer window it is now without doubt his team on the park.

Stephen McManus made his Riverside debut while Barry Robson and Willo Flood have established themselves as regulars in midfield.

McDonald's goals will be crucial if Middlesbrough are to make it into the play-off's with Strachan looking forward to working with the striker for the third time.

The Boro boss said: “McDonald is a striker that scores. I've realised over the last year that people call themselves strikers without striking. Scott lives up to what he's called - a striker.

“He scored regularly for Motherwell and he scored in many big games for Celtic. His record says he has earned the right to call himself a striker.

“You can't build a team around one man, that's been proved before. Without Adam Johnson, we have to be a more rounded team and it's the same with Scott.

“We can't rely only on him. If you do that and the player is unavailable for whatever reason then it's not worth us turning up. That can't happen.

“As I keep saying, we have to be a more rounded team. We have to keep working hard and if we get a bit of luck then life will be easier."

“What the new strikers do is create competition, it tells everyone that to get a game they've got to play their best.”

The other group of former Celts at Swindon also had a successful night beating Oldham 4-2 at home to remain in a play-off spot from League One.

On-loan Simon Ferry was joined by Scott Cuthbert and Jon-Paul McGovern as Danny Wilson's side claimed all three points.

Good luck Killen, 7am GMT kick off for New Zealand qualifier

Chris Killen will lead the attack for New Zealand as they play Bahrain in the second leg of their World Cup play-off.

The Kiwi striker hasn't had the best of luck as a Celtic player bit has shown his worth at international level as a regular scorer for the all whites.

Also included in the squad is former Celt Michael McGlinchey who was born in New Zealand before returning to Scotland with his family.

The first leg in Bahrain was drawn 0-0 with NZ needing any type of win to qualify for their first World Cup Finals since 1982 where they lost 5-2 to Scotland.

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Killen and N'Guemo on course for South Africa

Chris Killen and Landry N'Guemo took major steps towards the South African World Cup finals yesterday whilst Aiden McGeady faces the play-off lottery next month after Ireland's draw with Italy.

New Zealand drew 0-0 away to Bahrain in the first leg of their play-off leaving Killen's side requiring a win at home in Wellington on November 14 to qualify for their first World Cup since 1982.

Things look even brighter for N'Guemo even if details of Paul le Guen's side are thin on the ground after Cameroon beat Togo 3-0 at home, a win away to bottom placed Morocco on Wednesday will see Cameroon qualify for South Africa.

Celtic's Landry was the only N'Guemo named in the original squad but according to the FIFA website Joel N'Guemo was replaced by in the 69th minute

Led by Inter Milan's Samuel Eto'o World Cup regulars Cameroon eased ahead of Togo into top place in Group , who included Emmanuel Adabayor, Cameroon are virtually a Premiership select and will be expected to do well if they get through Wednesday's final qualifying match.

Information on New Zealand is a bit easier to come across with the FIFA site carrying some details of the goal-less draw in Bahrain.

With his international career on a high hopefully Killen will get a chance now at Celtic to recapture the form that he showed at Hibs where he was more than a match for SPL defenders.

PARTIZAN

Over in Dublin it was agony for Ireland with a 'Partizan-type' moment as Ireland snatched a draw from the jaws of victory against Italy.

McGeady had a varied performance, Italian defences are the hardest to break down but the Celtic midfielder didn't go into hiding and constantly took the ball to right-back Gianluca Zamborata.

Liam Lawrence on the right provided a steadier defensive influence to the midfield, McGeady's final ball was at times disappointing but out smarting Italian defenders with the scent of the World Cup finals in the air is no easy task.

In the second half McGeady was given greater scope to attack but again found it difficult to deliver the killer pass before he was replaced by Stephen Hunt in the 78th minute.

Hunt won the 87th minute free-kick that allowed Sean St Ledger to head Ireland into the lead but the Italians equalised in stoppage time through substitute Alberto Gilardino.

Irish boss Giovanni Trapattoni must have been devastated by his side's play after taking the late lead, instead of keeping possession and killing the clock Ireland continued to push forward leaving their defence open to the counter attack which Gilardino ruthlessly punished.

Unlike Celtic's ko blow in the 5-4 win over Partizan Belgrade 20 years ago Ireland get another chance with a play-off looming against France, Portugal, Greece or Russia.

It'll be tough to get through that stage especially after sharing four draws with Bulgaria and Italy in their qualifying group but with Trapattoni in charge they have the knowledge and experience to negotiate that obstacle