Celtic 1-0 Kilmarnock – Hogh denied, Scales scores, Nygren misses penalty

Celtic ground out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Celtic Park this afternoon, with Liam Scales’ first-half strike proving enough to secure three valuable points and restore the Champions’ four-point advantage over the Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

In a game that proved considerably more difficult than the league positions might have suggested, Martin O’Neill’s tired looking side had to show patience, withstand some dangerous moments from the visitors and survive a frustrating afternoon in front of goal.

Liam Scales was the unlikely match-winner, producing a superb finish in the 26th minute after Camilo Duran’s delivery into the penalty area. The Irish defender’s hooked effort looped into the top corner, giving goalkeeper Nico Mantl little chance and sending the home support into celebration.

However, the scoreline could have been considerably more comfortable for Celtic, who passed up several opportunities to put the contest beyond Kilmarnock.

The visitors had made a lively start and almost stunned the home crowd inside the opening minute. Tom Lowery found himself with an opportunity after a cross from Leuan Owen, but Sam Johnstone produced an excellent double save to keep Celtic on level terms.

It was an important intervention from the Celtic goalkeeper, particularly given the champions’ recent domestic inconsistency and set the scene for the on loan Wolves keeper’s first clean sheet for the Hoops.

Celtic thought they had broken the deadlock in the 13th minute when Kasper Hogh finished from close range after being set up by Benjamin Nygren. The Danish striker celebrated enthusiastically, but his joy was short-lived.

Referee John Beaton was sent to the pitch-side monitor and, following a review, ruled out the effort for a dubious foul by Mika Baur on Greg Kiltie in the build-up. It’s clearly different rules being applied to the night before in Paisley.

It was another frustrating moment for Hogh, whose wait for a goal continued who had probably his best performance in a Celtic jersey and correctly was named man of the match. The support should their appreciation for the Danish striker when he was substituted and he’ll hopefully get a significant boost from the backing of the fans.

After the cruel decision to deny Hogh his long awaited goal for the flimsiest of reasons Celtic would not have to wait much longer for the breakthrough.

On 26 minutes, Camilo Duran delivered a dangerous ball into the box and Liam Scales made an intelligent run to meet it. The defender improvised brilliantly, hooking the ball towards goal from around 10 yards and watching it sail beyond Mantl into the net.

It was a moment of quality in a match that was otherwise short on clear-cut opportunities.

Relegation threatened Kilmarnock refused to disappear, though, and the Ayrshire side continued to threaten whenever they could get forward. Michael Schjonning-Larsen tested Johnstone with an effort from distance, while Tyreece John-Jules also had an opportunity that the visitors would have hoped to make more of.

Celtic went into the interval with the advantage, but there was little suggestion that the afternoon would be entirely straightforward.

O’Neill introduced Yang Hyun-jun for Jota at half-time, with the Portuguese winger making his first start since returning from an 18-month injury lay-off.

The second half largely belonged to Celtic in terms of possession and territory, but the hosts struggled to translate their dominance into the goals that would have settled the nerves around Celtic Park.

Colby Donovan came agonisingly close to doubling the advantage shortly after the restart, while Duran forced Mantl into another important save with a curling effort.

Hogh was also presented with opportunities to end his frustrating afternoon. A powerful effort flew over the crossbar, while another promising opening was denied by an excellent defensive block from MJ Kamson-Kamara.

Kilmarnock were not without their own moments, and Baur briefly thought he had found an equaliser before his effort was ruled out for offside.

The visitors were fortunate to remain just one goal behind when Celtic were awarded a penalty in the 75th minute. Aaron Tshibola was penalised for a clear handball following a review, giving the home side the perfect opportunity to put the game beyond doubt.

Nygren stepped forward, but his penalty lacked the necessary precision and Mantl produced an excellent save to keep Kilmarnock in the contest.

The goalkeeper was becoming an increasingly influential figure for the visitors, and he denied Nygren again from open play shortly afterwards. Celtic continued to search for a second goal, but their wastefulness threatened to turn a comfortable afternoon into an uncomfortable finish.

There was also concern for O’Neill when Baur was forced off with an injury, while Yang was fortunate to escape a second yellow card after appearing to pull down Nicky Clescenco.

Kilmarnock threw men forward in the closing stages and almost snatched a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time. Erik Ring delivered a dangerous low cross into the six-yard box, where Ieuan Owen had an opportunity to make contact. However, the forward could not quite get there, allowing Celtic to breathe a huge sigh of relief.

It was a let-off for the hosts, who had done enough to deserve the victory but had made life unnecessarily difficult for themselves. The final whistle confirmed a second successive victory for Celtic following their impressive midweek European comeback against Besiktas.

There will undoubtedly be positives for Martin O’Neill, particularly the three points, a clean sheet and the contribution of Liam Scales, whose decisive finish was the difference maker on a day when Kasper Hogh’s luck continued to be bad. That will turn soon enough and there are signs that there could be a flurry of Celtic goals to enjoy from the former Bodo Glimt striker.

Celtic now head into the international break with consecutive victories and a four-point lead at the top of the table. It was hardly a vintage performance from the champions, but titles are built on winning days when everything does not quite click.

Scales supplied the significant moment, Johnstone provided an important early intervention and Celtic ultimately got the job done despite Hogh being denied and Nygren being wasteful with such a poor penalty kick.

At this stage of the season, that will be more than enough for Martin O’Neill and the Celtic support as we go into the latest international break top of the league looking down on our only challengers the Rangers.

Hearts you see are out of it no after falling apart again…

Here are today’s highlights from Celtic’s 1-0 win against Kilmarnock…

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