Late Iheanacho Penalty Secures Narrow Celtic Victory over Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock 1-2 Celtic Watson (83′) Maeda (56′) Ineanacho (90+6′ pen) A stoppage time penalty ensured Celtic’s return to the top of the Scottish Premiership, as Kilmarnock suffered their first league defeat. A large portion of Celtic fans emerged into the Chadwick Stand after 12 minutes, part of their planned protest against the Celtic board. They hadn’t missed any action; their side had dominated the early exchanges but lacked clear-cut chances. Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell has only registered one managerial victory over Celtic in eleven attempts, but would have been pleased with his side’s structure and organisation. Summer signing Sebastian Tounekti looked lively in moments on the left. He met Callum McGregor’s clipped ball on the half-hour mark, but could not direct it goalwards for the game’s first chance. Colby Donovan was rewarded with a first Celtic start and had positive moments from right-back. He was unable to direct Benjamin Nygren’s cross goalwards in the 33rd minute. Tounekti continued as Celtic’s prominent attacking threat. He played a neat one-two on the left but blazed his strike high and wide. Cameron Carter-Vickers tested Max Stryjek from 25 yards after 41 minutes, but it had been a dire opening period in the pouring Ayrshire rain. Celtic broke the deadlock after 57 minutes, Saracchi delivered a teasing cross for Daizen Maeda to glance home. The Japanese striker had endured a quiet afternoon, but his clever movement across Robbie Deas left Stryjek rooted to the spot. Tounekti continued to carry a threat, continually testing James Brown on Kilmarnock’s right. His low cross on 68 minutes struck Deas’ arm in the six-yard box, but was waved off by VAR. Kilmarnock rarely threatened but almost drew level minutes later. Nygren stretched to divert Marcus Dackers’ cross towards his own goal, luckily it was the other side of Kasper Schmiechel’s right post. Celtic’s fanbase may be disappointed by their lack of transfer action, but will be greatly encouraged by Tounekti. He continued to threaten, dragging a right-footed side wide on 73 minutes. Despite Celtic’s lead, Kilmarnock still had chances to maintain their unbeaten league start. Schmiechel had to be alert to Brown’s whipped right-foot cross as they searched for an equaliser. They drew level after 82 minutes through David Watson. The Scotland Under-21 international crashed home Greg Kiltie’s outswinging corner to send the home fans wild. The homeside had their tails up, another Kiltie cross was narrowly missed before Bruce Anderson’s dragged shot. Marley Watkins was next to test Schmiechel. He dispossessed Callum McGregor on the edge of the box, but the resultant strike was pushed behind. Celtic were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time. James Forrest’s strike deflected off Lewis Mayo’s arm, which was eventually deemed correct by VAR. Kelechi Ịheanachọ placed the ball high into Stryjek’s goal, sparking delight amongst the travelling contingent. Player Ratings Kilmarnock: Stryjek 7 Brown 6 Mayo 6 Stanger 6 Deas 7 Thompson 6 Polworth 7 McKenzie 6 Watson 7 Daniels 7 Dackers 7 Substitutes: Thomson 5 Kiltie 6 Anderson 5 Watkins 5 Williams 5 Celtic: Schmeichel 6 Donovan 7 Carter-Vickers 6 Scales 6 Saracchi 7 McGregor 6 Hatate 6 Nygren 6 Balikwisha 4 Tounekti 7 Maeda 6 Substitutes: Tierney 6 Forrest 6 Ịheanachọ 6 McCowan 5 Yang 5
“We’ll fancy our chances”: Killie’s David Watson confident ahead of Celtic visit
Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson insists his side will approach Sunday’s home clash with Celtic full of belief, despite still searching for their first win of the Premiership campaign. The 20-year-old was speaking on Tuesday night at Fir Park, shortly after captaining Scotland U21S in a 0-2 defeat to Portugal in a Euro 2027 qualifier. The Killie academy product admitted that the young Scots “lacked that wee bit of quality in the final third” but quickly switched his attention back to domestic matters. “I know it’s a quick turnaround, but I love playing games,” he said. “We’ve got a good challenge on Sunday and I’m looking forward to it. “Our home record’s really good, so we’ll fancy our chances and we’ll be as positive as we can. “We’ll try and put our authority and our stamp on the game.” Kilmarnock have opened the league season with four consecutive draws, and now Stuart Kettlewell’s side face their toughest test yet against a Celtic team who already have 10 points from 12. However, all is not rosy in Brendan Rodgers’ garden; Celtic lost and failed to replace Adam Idah on deadline day, notably missing out on Kasper Dolberg, who opted for a return to his former club Ajax. The Hoops scrambled together a deal for free agent Kelechi Iheanacho, Rodgers’ former player at Leicester City, after the deadline passed. However, the Celtic faithful remain angry at their board and are planning protests in response to a disappointing transfer window. Watson, who has now passed the 100-appearance mark for his boyhood club, believes both his club experience and the lessons of international football will stand him in good stead. “A lot of those Portuguese boys play in European competitions and they are high-profile players,” he noted. “Celtic are the same, maybe even more experienced, so you can definitely learn from nights like this and take it into a game like Sunday.” While the defeat stung, Watson took pride in leading his country for the first time at this level. With a smirk, he said: “I loved it, it’s a great bunch of lads. I’ve captained youth sides at Killie before, but to wear the armband for Scotland was special.” Becoming a more important cog in the Killie machine season upon season, Watson’s performance on Sunday will be a big part in whether the Ayrshire side can emerge with a home result result, or whether Celtic will drown out the noise from their away support and return to winning ways after two 0-0 draws back-to-back against Kairat Almaty as they exited the UEFA Champions league, and Russell Martin’s struggling Rangers.
