Performance thrills Lennon

Celtic manager Neil Lennon wasn’t expecting any of his leading players to depart during the January transfer window after witnessing his side extending their lead at the top of the table to three points with victory at Kilmarnock.

Skipper Scott Brown, Joe Ledley and substitute Georgios Samaras each found the target in a comprehensive 3-1 victory at Rugby Park. Elsewhere, Inverness Caledonian Thistle are now their closest challengers after swapping places with Hibernian following a 3-0 victory in the Highlands.

“I wouldn’t imagine anyone wants to leave at the moment,” Lennon told BBC Scotland. “They’ve achieved great things already this season and hopefully there’s more to come and I don’t think any of them will be in a hurry to go.

“I thought we were brilliant today from start to finish,” he added. “The third goal epitomised the way we played. I think everyone touched the ball in the outfield and Adam Matthews, who I thought was wonderful today, delivered a great ball and Sammy buried it.”