| Match Pictures | Matches: 2018 – 2019 | 2018-19 Pictures |
Trivia
- The fans after this match were singing "Scott Brown won the league at Rugby Park"! But there was still a long way to go.
- Back to the league after Celtic lost in the UEFA Cup.
- Possibly the most nerve-racking match of the season so far, Celtic score at the death!
- Celtic win late with 89th min winner by Scott Brown who has scored his second goal in a week after a long drought. He then got a second yellow for his celebration (going to the fans) and sent off.
- Celtic now 8pts ahead in the league with +11 goals advantage over Sevco. League title wholly in our hands now.
- Debut for Boyo
- Celtic first victory since 2017 at Rugby Park, two defeats to Killie away in 2017.
- Weah booked post-match:
Celtic forward Timothy Weah has explained the reasons behind his post-match behaviour at Rugby Park, insisting he had been “targeted” by three players.In an Instagram post, the on-loan Paris Saint-Germain striker apologised to “any Killie fans that were offended” but added: “I was targeted by three players from the moment I stepped on the pitch. Go back and look at all the cheap shots… and the trash talking as well. I understand it’s all part of the game but at the end of of the game I gave them a taste of their own medicine and took the consequences that came with it.” - Rearranged game from Saturday to Sunday due to Uefa cup match.
- Prior to the match seen by many as vital to win for Celtic's challenge for the title.
- Hayes back in side and has a great game but Toljan has a really poor game. Edouard looks off colour. Generally poor performance but Celtic still snatched the victory.
- Sevco drew 0-0 with St Johnstone on Saturday, this after St Johnstone lost 3 times to Celtic in the past few weeks including a 5-0 defeat last Sunday
- Timo Weah's mother is at the game – First Lady of Liberia (president George Weah's wife)
- Kilmarnock have been a very strong side this season and have even challenged for the top spot for periods, with some excellent results and forms over the year.
- Police officers stopped a football supporters bus on the A78 which was travelling towards a match in Greenock (Ayr v Morton) . A quantity of alcohol was seized from passengers, £40 of Buckfast and MD2020. Sergeant Lyall said “Operations like this one help keep fans and the wider community safe”. Ridiculous and waste of police time and money. Is this effective use of police resources @AyrshireSPolice or yet more evidence of the over policing of football supporters destroying the joy of watching our national game. It's probably safer to let fans drink on their buses and head straight in to the ground.
- Partick Thistle confirmed the signing of Scott McDonald on a deal until the end of the season, subject to clearance.
- Lustig poised to become the centre of a transfer tug of war between rivals Malmo and AIK Stockholm in the summer. Hewill be out of contract at the end of the season and it looks as though he will be heading for the Parkhead exit.
- Kris Boyd of Killie apparently coined at the game. Whoever the person was who done is should be found and barred from football, and charged if possible. Not acceptable.
Review
(Tony Hamilton of Celtic & Twitter)
8 points clear at the top
8 straight domestic wins in 2019
8 clean sheets Goal from 8
8in a row on track
Gr8 weekend all round
(JBC of TheCelticWiki)
Anyhow, this game was a must win as despite being 6pts ahead in the league title race, games against Killie etc who are tough competitors means that Celtic have to win these games to ensure no return to letting Sevco back in the league title race. Sevco may be taking a downturn but the screw must be turned.
12 games to go in this league race.
Massive relief considering it was probably the best game to create the gap and ease the pressure on us before we exact our revenge at the end of next month.
We had a stroke of luck but you have to take the chance and I'd like us to shoot from outside the box more so that's good.
Our passing and movement is atrocious. It was the main reason we struggled at the start of the year before we got control of our fitness and it's a massive issue we desperately need to get hold of. It is holding us back.
I would say that improving that aspect of our game has to be Brendan's biggest test as Celtic coach.
We have to be quicker, take fewer touches and move with more purpose.
That pitch is awful, it looks like it has mange in places. It's true that they don't play nice and it seems silly having a rule on stadiums for clubs joining the SPL (which they can't even fill) but then to allow surfaces that ruin the qualitative part of the game.
That said, I think with quality you can adapt and I didn't think it was the biggest aspect in our poor performance today.
BTW My Wife has a name for these sorts of games after a conversation we had years ago when we were still at home where we were talking about a game on the TV and I said something like "they're grinding away but it's pointless with no penetration". She (unusually) went silent for about 5 seconds before finally whispering "Oh, like Lesbians" and ever since she's been describing these slow burn games as 'Lesbian football'.
Today she walked in and said "Are you still watching that Lesbian". I wouldn't have minded but her Dad was watching the game next to me. He almost turned purple. Easily most entertaining part of the day.
Teams
Kilmarnock
26Bachmann
2O'Donnell
5BroadfootBooked at 75mins, Red Card
16Boyd
3Taylor
29Burke Substituted forMcKenzieat 84'minutes
8Dicker
6Power
11Jones
15McAleny Substituted forMillarat 82'minutes
25Brophy Substituted forBruceat 77'minutes
Substitutes
1MacDonald
4Bruce
7McKenzie
9Boyd
18Waters
19Millar
27Tshibola
Celtic
29Bain
2Toljan
20Boyata
35Ajer
15Hayes
42McGregor
8BrownBooked at 90mins, Red card for celebrating
49Forrest Substituted forWeahat 77'minutesBooked at 90mins
17Christie Substituted forBayoat 89'minutes
11Sinclair
22Edouard Substituted forBurkeat 69'minutes
Substitutes
1Gordon
6Bitton
10Bayo
23Lustig
25Burke
30Weah
48Okoflex
Goals
- Brown (90' minutes,
Referee:
Bobby Madden
Attendance:
11,916
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Forum
MOTM
- Voting Thread
- Result Thread
- Winner –
Stats
Kilmarnock
Celtic
Possession
Home41%
Away59%
Shots
Home8
Away12
Shots on Target
Home1
Away6
Corners
Home7
Away3
Fouls
Home12
Away8
Articles
Kilmarnock 0-1 Celtic: Scott Brown nets late winner and is sent off as Hoops extend lead
Video Player is loading.
Remaining Time -0:53
Stephen Halliday
Published: 18:32 Sunday 17 February 2019
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/kilmarnock-0-1-celtic-scott-brown-nets-late-winner-and-is-sent-off-as-hoops-extend-lead-1-4874484
Just as they looked set to leave the door ever so slightly ajar for their closest challengers, Celtic plundered a dramatic late winner against Kilmarnock to take a huge stride towards their eighth consecutive league crown.
Scott Brown’s deflected strike in an extraordinary finale to an absorbing contest moved Brendan Rodgers’ side eight points clear of Rangers at the top of the Premiership with just 12 games remaining.
Scott Brown celebrates with the Celtic fans after scoring the winner. Picture: PA
Scott Brown celebrates with the Celtic fans after scoring the winner. Picture: PA
Brown’s goal sparked briefly chaotic scenes as some visiting fans spilled onto the pitch at both ends of the ground, while the Celtic captain’s celebrations saw him sent off as he picked up his second booking of the afternoon.
The result was harsh on Kilmarnock whose hopes of a third consecutive home win over Celtic were handicapped by Kirk Broadfoot’s straight red card with 15 minutes remaining.
Even on an artificial playing surface they make no secret of loathing, Celtic were entitled to have a spring in their step at Rugby Park. Rangers’ slip-up at home to St Johnstone the previous day had provided them with the opportunity to exert even firmer control of the title race which they ultimately seized.
Odsonne Edouard, making his first start since mid-December as he replaced Oliver Burke up front, was one of three changes Rodgers made to his starting line-up after the sobering Europa League defeat at home to Valencia. Jonny Hayes and Kristoffer Ajer came in to a reshuffled defence at the expense of Emilio Izaguirre and Jozo Simunovic.
Edouard made a lively start and was first to threaten for the champions in the eighth minute. After good link-up play down the right from Jeremy Toljan and James Forrest, the French striker received the ball in the penalty area and saw his left foot shot on the turn drift narrowly wide of Daniel Bachmann’s left hand post.
Celtic were bright and progressive in the opening stages and carved out another opening for Edouard three minutes later. It was Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie who combined this time to find Edouard and his firm drive was well saved by Bachmann.
It took Kilmarnock time to build up any rhythm but the customary intensity of their pressing game eventually saw them start forcing Celtic onto the back foot for spells. The home side’s first sight of goal fell to Broadfoot and the big defender might have done better than glance his header wide after being picked out by Chris Burke’s perfectly delivered corner.
Killie continued to grow in confidence, sparked by the ball-winning attributes of Alan Power. The Irish midfielder, free to play after escaping retrospective punishment for his high boot foul on Rangers’ Ryan Jack the previous weekend, isn’t likely to ever change the way he plays. A similarly high challenge on Brown early in the game here was proof of that.
Power is as effective as he is robust, however, and his tenacity set up the next chance for Kilmarnock when he sent Eamonn Brophy racing into the penalty area. The striker worked space for a shot but failed to trouble Scott Bain as the ball trundled wide of the Celtic goalkeeper’s right hand post.
Brophy, back in the Killie side after injury, was causing the visitors’ defence problems with his pace and movement. He looked poised to put Killie ahead in the 31st minute when he was played in by Burke but his shot was kept out by Dedryck Boyata’s superbly timed block.
As Celtic struggled to rediscover their earlier fluency, Brown picked up the first booking of the afternoon for a poorly timed challenge on Greg Taylor.
Brendan Rodgers could be on his way in the summer, according to Chris Sutton. Picture: SNS Group
Brendan Rodgers ‘could quit Celtic in the summer’ says pundit
Kilmarnock carried the momentum they had built into the second half as Celtic continued to look uneasy in defence. Ajer’s clumsy challenge on Conor McAleny gave the hosts a free-kick in a dangerous position but Burke’s effort sailed comfortably over Bain’s crossbar.
Clarke’s men had the ball in the net in the 61st minute but the fine finish from McAleny was disallowed as the on-loan Fleetwood Town striker used a hand to control Jordan Jones’ cross before rifling a shot beyond Bain.
Edouard had become an increasingly peripheral figure for Celtic since his promising start to the contest and he was withdrawn with just over 20 minutes remaining, Rodgers introducing Burke in a bid to inject fresh zest to his attack.
Christie fizzed a free-kick narrowly over as Celtic tried to increase the tempo in the closing stages and the balance looked to have tipped in their favour when Broadfoot was dismissed for a studs-high foul on Brown right in front of referee Bobby Madden. The former Rangers defender could have little complaint at the decision.
There remained little hint at the even later drama to come, however. Hayes swung over a couple of decent crosses, which Christie and then Boyata were unable to convert with close range headers, and Kilmarnock looked on course for a point which was the least they deserved for their efforts.
But the 90th minute brought delirium for the visiting support and heartbreak for Killie. Substitute Vakoun Bayo, making his debut for Celtic, won a corner which McGregor floated in from the right. Boyata nodded the ball back across the penalty area and Brown let fly with a volley which took a deflection off the arm of Killie sub Alex Bruce before beating the helpless Bachmann.
The significance of the goal saw both Brown and some Celtic fans unable to contain their emotions. The skipper collected his second yellow card while some visiting supporters spilled onto the pitch.
Celtic substitute Timothy Weah struck Bachmann’s left hand post during four frenetic minutes of stoppage time, then was booked as feelings continued to run high among both sides at the final whistle.
BBC
By Andrew Southwick
BBC Scotland
From the section Scottish Premiership 417
Highlights: Kilmarnock 0-1 Celtic
Captain Scott Brown was shown a second yellow card for celebrating after his 90th-minute winner at Kilmarnock moved Celtic eight points clear in the Scottish Premiership.
Brown's shot struck Alex Bruce and spun past Dan Bachmann to earn the leaders a first win in three games in Ayrshire.
Kirk Broadfoot had earlier been sent off for a high challenge on Brown.
The win maintains Celtic's record of winning all of their eight domestic games in 2019 without conceding.
And with Rangers and Aberdeen failing to win on Saturday, it means Brendan Rodgers' side have responded to their Europa League humbling against Valencia by extending their lead in the Premiership.
Kilmarnock, who had a Conor McAleny effort disallowed for handball, stay fourth and sit one point behind Aberdeen.
Rodgers feels for Brown after red card
Reaction & as it happened
Who did you rate man of the match?
Familiar feeling
It had been an assured start to the new year for Celtic. Seven wins, 21 goals scored, none conceded. Then it was derailed with Thursday's 2-0 reverse against Valencia.
Early on in Ayrshire it did not look like they were suffering any hangover. They began in their usual confident manner, but after two early attempts from Odsonne Edouard failed to find the net, Kilmarnock began to grab a foothold in the game.
It was an all too familiar feeling for Celtic. They had lost on their last two trips to Rugby Park, and they spent the last few minutes of the first half on the ropes. Jordan Jones skipped past his man and floated in a dangerous ball, then McAleny also bustled his way through the backline before a last-ditch challenge stopped him as he was about to shoot.
With Kieran Tierney and Emilio Izaguirre missing, Jonny Hayes slotted in at left-back for Celtic. The Republic of Ireland winger has had a troubled time at Celtic, and Kilmarnock began to pinpoint him as a weakness. But when Celtic went forward, Hayes was at the centre of much of their work as play bounced from end to end.
The game had a cup-tie feel about it. A point would not have been the worst for either side, with Celtic comfortable at the top and Kilmarnock in the mix for a Europa League spot. But both continued to pour forward at every opportunity.
McAleny found the net for Kilmarnock with a lovely turn and shot, but referee Bobby Madden correctly ruled it out for handball.
But Celtic were beginning to have the better of it when Kilmarnock found themselves a man down. Broadfoot's foot was high when he lunged at Celtic captain Brown, catching him on the ankle. The referee showed him a straight red card, and suddenly the hosts' task had grown.
Ryan Christie headed just wide as Celtic pressed for a winner, but Kilmarnock looked like they had survived the pressure before Brown steamed on to a Dedryck Boyata header to skid past Bachman with the aid of Bruce's unfortunate intervention.
Brown, already on a yellow card for an earlier challenge on Greg Taylor, was then ordered off after rushing to the crowd during wild celebrations.
Kirk Broadfoot was dismissed with 15 minutes remaining
Kirk Broadfoot was dismissed with 15 minutes remaining
'A draw would have been fair' – analysis
Livingston head coach Gary Holt on Sportsound
A draw would probably have been a fair result. When Kilmarnock went down to 10 men, Celtic raised the tempo. They've got pace, power, and when the game opened up they started to stretch Kilmarnock.
I don't think you can argue with Kirk Broadfoot's red card. It's late, his foot is high. It was just a late, mistimed challenge. It looked silly, but he had to go for it.
At the goal it's mindless from the fans behind the goal, and it's probably caused Scott Brown to get his second yellow card.
'I couldn't see Celtic scoring' – reaction
Broadfoot tackle 'didn't look good' – Clarke
Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke: "I thought we were good today. I thought there were two good teams on pitch. We didn't deserve the bad break at the end. We're a little unfortunate.
"It's frustrating to play so well and not get anything from the game. Even after going down to 10 men we looked reasonably comfortable. I couldn't see Celtic scoring."
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "We weren't settling for a draw. I thought we played very well considering we had a game of such intensity and difficulty on Thursday.
"It is never easy here, you have got to break through their block and they are very well organised. You know there are not going to be many chances so you have got to be ready."
