Celtic battled their way to a 2-0 win at Rugby Park thanks to goals from Callum McGregor and Nicolas Kühn. The Scottish Champions had to work hard to keep out the hosts, who peppered Kasper Schmeichel’s goal.
After the brilliant win over RB Leipzig at Celtic Park, Brendan’s side knew they’d need to fight for every ball to escape Ayrshire with the spoils. The manager made two changes from the team that won in Europe – Cameron Carter-Vickers was replaced with Liam Scales and Adam Idah was preferred to Kyogo.
It was a game that showed some fatigue in the Celtic team but nevertheless, the team dug in and fashioned the chances to emerge victorious.
Callum McGregor’s cross evaded everyone to give Celtic the lead on the stroke of half time. Robby McCrorie probably assumed that Adam Idah would connect so delayed moving towards the ball – which allowed it to sneak in.
Killie had their chances but Schmeichel stood firm, much to the frustration of Liam Donnelly, who tried to catch the Dane with an elbow at the end of the second half. Kühn sealed the win after beating Watson in a foot race before cutting inside and firing a shot into the goalkeeper’s right hand post.
Next up for Celtic, a trip to Tynecastle to face Hearts.
Brendan’s view…
