Scales strike restores Celtic cushion
“It was a tough game for us.
Very, very tough,” said Celtic manager Martin O’Neill. His side’s narrow 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Celtic Park restored a four-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
The decisive moment arrived in the 26th minute. The win was far from straightforward, however, as the champions played a match marred by a disallowed goal and a missed penalty. Scales ran unchallenged to volley the cross past a static Nico Mantl from 10 yards.
VAR intervention denies early breakthrough
Celtic’s afternoon began with frustration when an early strike from Kasper Hogh was scrubbed from the record. The Danish striker had finished from seven yards after being set up by Benjamin Nygren and ran to the standing section to celebrate. Referee John Beaton was summoned to the monitor before ruling the goal out, awarding a free-kick to Kilmarnock for a foul by Mika Baur on Greg Kiltie.
The goal forced the hosts to reset against a side that had signaled its intent within the opening 40 seconds, when Sam Johnstone was forced into a double save by Kilmarnock’s Tom Lowery. “Sam Johnstone pulled us out in the first minute of the game with a great double save,” O’Neill added.
🎙️ We caught up with Martin O’Neill after our #CELKIL win.#CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/CKKVttByom
Jota returns to the starting XI
Martin O’Neill opted to hand Jota his first start since returning from an 18-month layoff. The Portuguese winger operated on the left for the first half, showing some good touches without making a major impact, before being replaced by Yang Hyun-jun at half-time.
Mantl stands firm as Celtic falter
Celtic’s inability to kill off the game kept Kilmarnock hopeful until the final whistle. In the 76th minute, Benjamin Nygren stepped up to the penalty spot after the ball struck Aaron Tshibola’s arm.
Kilmarnock goalkeeper Nico Mantl, who was a busy man after the interval, saved the effort. In the 28th minute, Michael Schjonning-Larsen had a go from distance, but Johnstone pushed it clear. By the 51st minute, Colby Donovan was just inches from doubling Celtic’s lead.
The result leaves Hogh’s personal struggles in the spotlight. The Danish striker, who once scored a hat-trick against Kilmarnock in only his second appearance, has now extended his goalless run to 16 games, with Mantl repeatedly thwarting his attempts to find the net.
Kilmarnock’s late near-miss
Despite the loss, Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann remained defiant about his team’s performance. “I thought the boys deserved to take something from the game,” he told Sky Sports News. “So many good things from the game.
The visitors nearly snatched a point in stoppage time, but Ieuan Owen failed to connect with an inviting cross from Erik Ring. The defeat leaves Kilmarnock anchored to the bottom of the table, now winless in their last four games.”
🎥 We spoke to goalscorer, Liam Scales, after today’s win against Kilmarnock.#CELKIL | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/M1HxZl2LNT
Pre-match silence disrupted
A planned Remembrance Sunday tribute was cut short after barely 20 seconds when booing from sections of the crowd disrupted the pre-match silence.
More on Kilmarnock
Neil McCann gave his reaction to today's game at Celtic Park shortly after full-time. 📺: https://t.co/S7iqJsEwzV pic.twitter.com/oOFLF6Nce4
https://t.co/hylsJO8qdG