Celtic will be in one final at least in their troubled season. They beat Kilmarnock narrowly and unconvincingly last night to earn the right to contest the last match in the Scottish League Cup.

However, the very idea that Kenny Dalglish would bring instant balm to heal their wounds was confounded at Hampden Park.

They won this semi-final when, in the 66th minute, Alan Stubbs played a ball into space on the right wing for Jackie McNamara to cross and for Lubomir Moravcik to head home, one of the very few moments of skill in the game.

Othwerwise they looked very ordinary indeed. When a few minutes later Kilmarnock's Hennri Cocard was sent off, the outcome became a forgone conclusion in front of an audience that was bored almost to distraction.

The general opinion that the first semi-final between Dundee United and Aberdeen had hardly enhanced the reputation of the game was continued three days later, at least in the first half.

Neither side gave any evidence at all that they could do anything to cheer up their supporters on another cold occasion. There were distinct rumblings from the Celtic fans who detected that their side remains fragile even if under new management.

It might have been different had Celtic's Mark Burchill, in the very first minute, taken about the only chance either team carved out before the interval. Seizing on a loose ball well inside the penalty area, he hit a cross shot which eluded the Kilmarnock goalkeeper Colin Meldrum only to bounce back into play off the post.

If anyone was a hero it was Meldrum. In the 22nd minute he surged off his line to block a Jackie McNamara run and needed extensive treatment for a gashed arm before he was able to continue.

By making two similar saves in the next few minutes he at least proved that he was bringing some courage to the contest - but the fans were crying out for some signs of class.

Celtic: Kharine, Mjallby, Boyd, Tebily, Mahe, Moravcik, Stubbs, Riseth, McNamara, Viduka, Burchill (Healy 73). Subs Not Used: Kerr, Johnson. Booked: McNamara. Goals: Moravcik 66.

Kilmarnock: Meldrum, McKinlay, Lauchlan, Dindeleux, MacPherson, Mitchell (Bagan 85), Holt, Durrant (Jeffrey 85), Reilly, Cocard, McCutcheon (Burke 58). Sent Off: Cocard (72). Booked: Reilly, McKinlay, Cocard.

Referee: Jim McCluskey (Scotland).