Chris Burke’s penalty kick secured Kilmarnock a deserved draw against reigning champions Celtic.

The visitors could not build on Ryan Christie’s free-kick that somehow beat goalkeeper Danny Rogers from 35 yards.

Striker Nicke Kabamba was hauled down by Celtic centre-half Christopher Jullien and Burke beat debutant keeper Vasilas Barkas from the spot.

Celtic dominated possession and Killie were dangerous on the break, but neither could add to the scoreline.

Alex Dyer’s hosts have now not won in seven outings stretching into last season but will be pleased to have ended a run of six consecutive defeats to the Glasgow side.

Celtic had beaten Kilmarnock 3-1 three times last season, but Neil Lennon’s side on this occasion had to settle for stretching their undefeated run away from home to 13 games.

Dyer had looked to the experience of Gary Dicker in midfield, picking the Irishman ahead of Greg Kiltie, but the holding midfielder paid the price of a professional foul on Odsonne Edouard as Christie fired home the free-kick from what was Celtic’s first effort on goal.

Former Aberdeen goalkeeper Rogers made his debut at half-time last week as a replacement for fellow summer signing Jake Eastwood and looked to be deceived by the flight of the ball as the Scotland midfielder’s strike from all of 35 yards found the inside of a post.

Kilmarnock refused to be knocked out of their stride and centre-half Jullien was at fault as the hosts levelled.

He allowed Rory McKenzie to push him off the ball on the touchline and, when the pass was played through to Kabamba, the big striker wriggled clear of the Frenchman before being man-handled to the ground.

Barkas was rarely to be under threat again on his debut, but the Greek goalkeeper’s despairing fingertips could not prevent Chris Burke finding the corner from the penalty spot for the winger’s second goal in two games.

In the other goal, Rogers redeemed himself as his fine late save prevented Edouard adding to his opening-weekend hat-trick.

More to follow.