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