Kilmarnock 2-1 Celtic: Three things we learned

By Laurie Finlayson

The players warm up pre-match on the slick Rugby Park surface

Kilmarnock came from behind to defeat Celtic at a sodden Rugby Park. Let’s look at what stood out:

Killie secure two victories over Celtic in the same season for the first time in 58 years

This victory marks the first time Kilmarnock have beaten Celtic twice in a season since their title-winning campaign in 1964/65.

The Ayrshire side gave their visitors a head start, with Matt O’Reilly putting them in front after 33 minutes after he pounced on a rebound after Kilmarnock goalkeeper Will Dennis spilled Callum McGregor’s shot. The home side did, however, give Celtic fair Celtic fair warning in the first period, having come close with through Danny Armstrong, whose effort hit the frame, and Corrie Ndaba had his shocked blocked on the line by Alistair Johnston, amid handball claims from the home crowd.

 

In the second period, Killie came out fighting after what was reportedly a harsh team talk from manager Derek McInnes, although his team played relatively will despite the scoreline. However, McInnes’ team talk worked a treat as the home side piled the pressure onto Celtic, and it eventually it paid off. With 15 minutes left to play, Brad Lyons drilled a low ball into the box, with Kyle Vassell being the intended target. It didn’t reach him, as Celtic’s Nat Phillips diverted it into his own net, drawing the game level.

 

The home side didn’t settle for a point, like many teams do against Old Firm opposition. They continued to take the game to the Hoops and their persistence was rewarded. With three minutes of normal time remaining, Matty Kennedy was on hand to score his first goal for the club, having returned to Killie in the summer. Despite, eight minutes of added time at the end of the match, Killie held on for their second victory over Brendan Rodgers’ side this season.

Here’s what Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes said post-match:

Celtic show their fragility again

Celtic tasted a rare domestic defeat at Rugby Park. This was their first league defeat since Rodgers’ return, and their only other domestic loss came against the same opposition, on the same ground back in August.

 

Defensively, Celtic have had their troubles of late. They’ve failed to keep clean sheets against Motherwell, St Johnstone and Hibernian in recent Premiership outings as well as conceding two goals in this match and being rather leaky at the back in their forgettable Champions League run.

 

They may not have been helped by the absence of defensive stalwart Cameron Carter-Vickers, who came off injured in the midweek victory over Hibs (the goal they Celtic conceded in that match came after he was substituted). His replacement has been the on-loan Liverpool centre-back, Phillips who struggled against Killie and, of course, had the indignity of scoring an own goal. Celtic will surely look to strengthen at the back.

Here’s Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers’ post-match reaction:

This weekend’s results blow the title race wide open again

With Celtic’s defeat in Ayrshire and Rangers getting the better of Dundee this weekend, the title race is very much alive. Prior to Philippe Clement’s arrival at Ibrox, it looked like it was Celtic’s title to lose, however, the reigning champions are starting to stutter while Clement remains undefeated as Rangers boss. As things stand, Celtic are five points clear at the top, but don’t take your eyes off the top of the Premiership.

SportLaurie Finlayson