2015-08-12: Kilmarnock 2-2 Celtic, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2015 – 2016 | 2015-16 Pictures

Trivia

• Midweek match, first midweek league game of the season and its televised.
• First start for Janko.
• Scorcher of a goal for Biton, nakamura-esque.
• Celtic View celebrating 50 years anniversary this week. Congrats.
• A unit in honour of Tommy Burns has been opened up at the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research in Glasgow. Wonderful honour.
• Scottish football going ape over remarks by Celtic assistant manger John Collins, regarded as disparaging other sides. His points were correct but likely he gave an inch and the rest took a mile. The Aberdeen manager was most vociferous yet he'd made similar remarks not long back.
• In some ways this result back fired on Collins and gave the wits in Scottish football something to write about.
• Forums being arguing over if Celtic are signing Man U player Hernandez on loan. Total nonsense and it's the silly season.
• Transfers in: Dedryk Boyata (Man City), Saidy Jonka (Man U free) ; Ciftci (Dundee Utd £1.5m)
• Transfers out: Joe Chalmers (to Motherwell) ; Tonev (end loan); Guidetti (end loan); Wakaso (end loan); Zaluska (free); John Herron (free), Amido Balde (free) ; Fridjonsson (free to Reykjavik) ; Adam Matthews (£2m to Sunderland); Paul McMullan (loan to St Mirren), Michael Duffy (Alloa season long loan), Connor McManus (Alloa season long loan) ; Jackson Irvine (to Ross County)

Review

(Columbo of KDS)
Shootie-in for parts of that match and we still couldn't win.

Looked like a Celtic team from an age ago – pouring forward creating and missing chances – opposition keeper called into action time and again.

And us looking fragile at the back anytime they got forward.

Izzy did fine in the game as we were going forward most of the night – but it was a penalty for me.

Of course it shouldn't have mattered – the game should have been over in the first 20 mins.

Johansen – apart from being ordinary again – is a big baby and a red card in waiting – his charge at the Kilmarnock player after he lost the ball was pathetic.

Forrest had his best game in ages – showed an appetite and guts when he took the ball – he must have known he was probably going to get a hack for his efforts but ran at them all the same. ( terrible sitter in the first half though )

I am out of step with most going by the comments but I thought Rogic did well. I think he is a threat. (Terrible sitter in the first half though )

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Stats

Kilmarnock Celtic
Possession
59% 41%
90mins

Shots
11 28

On target
5 12

Corners
6 7

Fouls
11 12

Articles

Dramatic late penalty snatches 2-2 draw for Kilmarnock against Celtic
STV
12 August 2015 22:00 BST
http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/1326489-kilmarnock-2-2-celtic-dramatic-late-penalty-snatches-a-draw-for-killie/
Kallum Higginbotham celebrates v Celtic
Equaliser: Kilmarnock's Kallum Higginbotham (third from left) celebrates his goal with his team-mates.SNSGroup

Kallum Higginbotham scored a dramatic and cheeky late penalty as Kilmarnock came from behind twice to snatch a 2-2 draw against Celtic at Rugby Park.

Striker Leigh Griffiths opened the scoring before two minutes had elapsed and the Hoops should have had the game sewn up before the interval.

Instead, Ronny Deila's side went in level after Killie striker Josh Magennis equalised with the home side's first goal of the season, making up for an earlier shocking miss.

Israel midfelder Nir Bitton arrowed in a tremendous 30-yard shot in the 55th minute to restore the champions' lead.

However, with four minutes remaining the home side were awarded a spot-kick when Celtic defender Emilio Izaguirre brought down Greg Kiltie and Higginbotham cheekily dinked the ball over Craig Gordon for Killie's first point of the season, with Celtic dropping their first Ladbrokes Premiership points of the campaign.

A long night looked to be on the cards for the Ayrshire side when the Parkhead men took the lead in the second minute.

A quickly taken free-kick by the alert Kris Commons sent Griffiths racing clear of Kilmarnock skipper Mark Connolly before he slipped the ball under Jamie MacDonald.

The Killie goalkeeper then made saves from Commons, Tom Rogic, Griffiths and James Forrest as Celtic threatened to run riot, their momentum disrupted a little in the 28th minute when Gary Mackay-Steven replaced the injured Commons.

In the 35th minute, and completely out of the blue, Magennis missed a glorious chance when he was put through by Rory McKenzie, blasting high over the crossbar when faced with the whites of Gordon's eyes.

The mere creation of a chance seemed to inspire the home side and moments later Gordon saved a Lee Ashcroft header with his foot, before the Killie defender was replaced by Mark O'Hara after sustaining an injury.

Celtic came storming back and in another attack Rogic sent a header against a post before blasting the rebound wide.

But, in the final minute of the half, Magennis erased the memory of his earlier miss when, with the Hoops' defence static inside the box, he knocked a pass from Darryl Westlake past Gordon.

Celtic, somewhat stunned, resumed the second half with renewed purpose.

Bitton decided to take matters into his own hands with a ferocious drive from 30 yards which gave MacDonald no chance, before taking the acclaim of the Celtic fans in the stand behind the goal.

Gordon tipped a long-range effort from McKenzie over the crossbar and as the Glasgow side surged forward for the clinching goal, Griffiths came close with a spectacular over-head kick from eight yards.

Gordon was called into action again with a save at his right-hand post from a 25-yard free-kick by Killie substitute Aaron Splaine, on for Scott Robinson, and the visitors survived the goalmouth melee.

Celtic substitute Charlie Mulgrew, on for Forrest, had the ball in the net after MacDonald spilled yet another effort from Griffiths, but was ruled offside.

It looked, though, like the visitors were going to return to Glasgow with three points until referee Crawford Allan pointed to the spot when Izaguirre clumsily brought down Kiltie, with Higginbotham converting the penalty with some confidence.

BBC
By Andy Campbell BBC Sport Scotland

Kilmarnock claimed their first Scottish Premiership point of the season as Celtic were denied a third straight victory.

Leigh Griffiths tucked away the visitors' opener within two minutes, but Josh Magennis fired Killie level before the break.

Nir Bitton's stunning 25-yard effort looked to have given Celtic the win.

But Emilio Izaguirre fouled Greg Kiltie in the box and Kallum Higginbotham chipped home the resulting penalty.

The stylish finish displayed a confidence far from evident in the opening stages, during which the hosts could have been several goals behind.

Griffiths outstripped his markers to latch on to Commons' quickly-taken free-kick from near halfway to roll the ball past the outrushing Jamie MacDonald.
Leigh Griffiths scores for Celtic against Kilmarnock

Leigh Griffiths was quick off the mark with Celtic's opener

Commons, Tom Rogic, Griffiths and James Forrest all tested MacDonald from varying distances as the onslaught continued.

However, Celtic lost Commons to injury with Gary Mackay-Steven coming on and their attacking became less fluid.
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Interview – Locke and Deila

Magennis, who had been rather isolated in attack, was presented with an excellent chance when he raced beyond the Celtic defence to meet Rory McKenzie's pass.

The visitors waited in vain for an offside flag and the Northern Irishman held off Virgil van Dijk only to skew the ball high and wide.

However, the opportunity galvanised Gary Locke's men and Lee Ashcroft's header from a Steven Smith free-kick was well saved by the feet of goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Defender Ashcroft, who had not been moving easily, subsequently made way for O'Hara.

Rogic was guilty of a miss more glaring than Magennis's when Celtic threatened at a free-kick. The Australian headed against the post then had a shot blocked by MacDonald and, with the goal at his mercy, he volleyed his third attempt over.

And, almost straight away, Killie were level as Magennis got across Efe Ambrose to sweep Darryl Westlake's low centre past Gordon.
Josh Magennis scores for Kilmarnock against Celtic

Magennis netted Kilmarnock's first league goal of the season

Celtic opened the second half with the same attacking intent as they had the first and Griffiths should have buried a chance created by Forrest's cross from the left.

Bitton, after seeing a bouncing shot held by MacDonald, restored Celtic's lead when he belted the ball beyond the goalkeeper's despairing dive.

Keen not to be pegged back a second time, Celtic pressed hard for a third and MacDonald stretched to touch away two Griffiths efforts and the striker was narrowly off target with an acrobatic volley.

Long-range efforts were the order of the day and McKenzie raised home hopes with a dipping shot that Gordon tipped over.

The Celtic stopper also blocked Aaron Splaine's free-kick and a header from O'Hara.

Celtic had the ball in the net a third time when Forrest's replacement, Charlie Mulgrew, followed in on a saved Griffiths shot, but the offside flag was raised.

Kiltie had troubled the visitors all evening and, when he was bundled over by Izaguirre, Higginbotham deceived Gordon with a delicately struck spot-kick – his first goal for Kilmarnock and a welcome one for the hosts.

Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Kilmarnock 2, Celtic 2.
90:00 +2:23 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Kilmarnock 2, Celtic 2.
90:00 +1:51 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Kilmarnock. Scott McLean replaces Greg Kiltie.
90:00 +1:30

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) header from the centre of the box misses to the left.
87:06 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Kilmarnock 2, Celtic 2. Kallum Higginbotham (Kilmarnock) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.
86:18

Penalty conceded by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) after a foul in the penalty area.
86:18

Penalty Kilmarnock. Greg Kiltie draws a foul in the penalty area.
84:38 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Callum McGregor replaces Nir Bitton.
84:02

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
84:02

Mark Connolly (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
82:14

Attempt blocked. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
81:14

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Mark O'Hara.
80:01

Foul by Jamie Hamill (Kilmarnock).
80:01

Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
78:43

Foul by Aaron Splaine (Kilmarnock).
78:43

Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
78:22

Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Charlie Mulgrew.
78:01

Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Craig Gordon.
77:50

Attempt saved. Aaron Splaine (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner.
77:07

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
77:07

Steven Smith (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
76:37

Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Emilio Izaguirre.
74:04

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Rory McKenzie.
72:57

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
71:45

Attempt missed. Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right.
71:03

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Darryl Westlake.
69:16

Aaron Splaine (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
69:16

Foul by Saidy Janko (Celtic).
67:36

Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
67:36

Steven Smith (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
65:53 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Kilmarnock. Aaron Splaine replaces Scott Robinson because of an injury.
65:27

Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
65:15

Attempt blocked. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
64:50

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
62:59

Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Craig Gordon.
62:46

Attempt saved. Rory McKenzie (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
62:30

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
62:08

Attempt blocked. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
61:19

Attempt blocked. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
59:55 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Charlie Mulgrew replaces James Forrest.
58:03

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jamie MacDonald.
57:52

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
56:38

Foul by Saidy Janko (Celtic).
56:38

Scott Robinson (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
54:35 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Kilmarnock 1, Celtic 2. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Tomas Rogic.
52:53

Attempt saved. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
51:16

Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
51:16

Mark Connolly (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
49:57

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right.
47:48

Attempt blocked. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
47:19

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
47:19

Scott Robinson (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
46:50

Attempt blocked. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
46:08

Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
46:08

Foul by Steven Smith (Kilmarnock).
45:00

Second Half begins Kilmarnock 1, Celtic 1.
45:00 +2:02 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Kilmarnock 1, Celtic 1.
44:55

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Darryl Westlake.
43:23 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Kilmarnock 1, Celtic 1. Josh Magennis (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Darryl Westlake.
42:43

Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
41:49 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Kilmarnock. Mark O'Hara replaces Lee Ashcroft because of an injury.
41:17

Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
41:17

Foul by Greg Kiltie (Kilmarnock).
39:49

Saidy Janko (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
39:49

Foul by Kallum Higginbotham (Kilmarnock).
39:05

James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
39:05

Foul by Steven Smith (Kilmarnock).
37:52

Attempt saved. Lee Ashcroft (Kilmarnock) header from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal.
37:19

Hand ball by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
34:43

Attempt missed. Josh Magennis (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
33:36

Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
33:36

Jamie Hamill (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
33:00

Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
31:11

James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
31:11

Foul by Rory McKenzie (Kilmarnock).
28:47

Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
28:13 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Gary Mackay-Steven replaces Kris Commons because of an injury.
27:37

Hand ball by Scott Robinson (Kilmarnock).
25:58

Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk.
25:50

Attempt blocked. Josh Magennis (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
23:48

Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
23:48

Foul by Lee Ashcroft (Kilmarnock).
22:25

Attempt missed. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
21:51

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Lee Ashcroft.
20:59

Attempt missed. Steven Smith (Kilmarnock) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right.
20:19

Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Saidy Janko.
20:09

Attempt blocked. Josh Magennis (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
19:25

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
19:25

Foul by Lee Ashcroft (Kilmarnock).
17:03

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
16:16

Attempt saved. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the bottom right corner.
12:54

Attempt missed. Greg Kiltie (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
10:39

Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
10:39

(Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
10:16

Attempt saved. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
8:53

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
7:45

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Steven Smith.
6:55

Attempt saved. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top left corner.
5:47

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
5:47

Rory McKenzie (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
5:15

Attempt saved. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
4:03

Attempt missed. Rory McKenzie (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
3:39

Attempt saved. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
2:17 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Kilmarnock 0, Celtic 1. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Kris Commons.
1:43

Foul by Steven Smith (Kilmarnock).
1:43

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

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