Brendan Rodgers spoke to the media after Celtic’s late-show victory at Kilmarnock sent the Champions back to the top of the table, ahead of Hearts on goal difference and also now nine points ahead of theRangers whose manager Russell Martin has still to win a league match for the latest Ibrox club.
theRangers manager Russell Martin during the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Hearts at Ibrox on September 13, 2025. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)
The Celtic manager revealed that he overruled the onfield decision by the player on who should take the penalty with Benjamin Nygren being told to hand the ball to Kelechi Iheanacho on the instructions from the touchline. It certainly was a good call by Rodgers who was delighted for the striker who performed brilliantly for him at Leicester City.
Kelechi Iheanacho scores the winner for Celtic at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
“I was really pleased for Kels,” Brendan Rodgers said after Celtic’s 2-1 victory, as reported by Daily Mail. “I think the last penalty he took was for me at Wembley, when we beat Man City in the Community Shield, and he stuck that one away.
Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates scoring the winner for Celtic at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
“I think that’s a big moment for him, with the supporters and everything else. He’s got big moments in him, and once he gets fitter, he’s only going to get better.
Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates scoring the winner for Celtic at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
“Our penalty taker was off the pitch. Benji (Nygren) wanted it, but my message was for Kels (to take it). I know the confidence he brings and I also know what a goal will do for him. I’m delighted for him and for the team because it’s been a long couple of weeks. It’s a big win for us.”
Benjamin Nygren at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
“It was very tight,” he reflected. “We were a bit slow. There’s lots of new players coming in and the connections were maybe not quite as fluid. But second half, once we started to feed the wide players quicker and get through the pitch quicker, we were really dominant.
Daizen Maeda scores for Celtic at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
“We deserved to go in front and then looked like we could go on and add maybe another goal. But at 1-0, it’s never signed off. We concede from the corner.
“If you’re the home team and you get that going against you, then of course you may not be so happy,” the Celtic manager said. “For myself, we create the chaos in the box, create the opportunity, and then we get that moment where it does pop up and it’s in on its way, maybe into goal, I don’t know. But it’s certainly (handball) on the only one image I’ve seen. It pops up and hits his arm.”
Stuart Kettlewell certainly wasn’t happy about the decision, despite the Scottish FA being quick to provide clarity on exactly why the spot-kick was awarded. If there’s going to be consistency across the season then we’ll have to suck it up ourselves at some point.
“We might as well cut to the chase, 96 minutes by the time the penalty is taken. I need a question answered,’ the Kilmarnock manager said. “We attend meetings, we spend all this time talking about rules. If the ball hits up at such close proximity and the ball is not going into the net, I was told they weren’t going to give them as penalties.
John Beaton looks at the monitor at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
“I need to watch what I’m saying before they start throwing out sanctions or match bans. I’m immensely proud of the players. But I need somebody to answer that question. I’ll make the phone call tomorrow to find out why that’s been given as a penalty based on what I’ve been told at the start of the season.”
Kettlewell said he didn’t even look for a replay of the incident initially as he felt sure no infringement had taken place.
Stuart Kettlewell at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
“I rely on four guys that sit behind me I trust implicitly and every one of them had said ‘no, we’re alright because of the rule’. So, I didn’t even go and have a look myself. I looked after the penalty was given and awarded, but that was curiosity.”
🗣️ “We had Celtic under a lot of pressure”
🗣️ “Amazement it’s been awarded as a penalty”
🗣️ “We should have had a throw in, that was pretty categoric”Stuart Kettlewell isn’t happy with the officials’ decisions in Kilmarnock’s loss to Celtic ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/2gsjqnzd5u
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) September 14, 2025
Well one thing that everyone can agree on is that the Scottish FA were quick to issue guidelines to the broadcasters – Sky Sports and BBC Scotland – on the reason the penalty was awarded. This stated:
‘The penalty was awarded for handball by the Kilmarnock defender whose arm is in an unnatural position. A deflection doesn’t always negate a handball offence. He doesn’t know where the ball is going and his arm is up in an unnatural position to block a shot.’
Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates scoring the winner for Celtic at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Brendan Rodgers side ended a traumatic week for Celtic with a traditional never-say-die stoppage time winner, fact that was recognised by the Celtic manager himself.
“That’s what this club is about, that Celtic spirit that keeps you going right to the very end and it paid off for us. I’m delighted for the players, first and foremost, with all eyes on them today. A lot said and written and talked about, but ultimately, if we get onto the pitch, we can control that.”
Here’s Brendan’s post-match interview on Sky Sports.
🗣️ “We deserved to win the game”
🗣️ “[Tounekti] is a real Celtic winger”
🗣️ “The Board will review at an executive level… now we focus on the football”Brendan Rodgers praised his side who “kept going to the end” for their winner ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/YXLcLwMCQR
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) September 14, 2025
Meanwhile don’t miss Sandman’s Definitive Ratings from yesterday match which are available now on The Celtic Star, link below…
READ THIS…Sandman’s Definitive Ratings – Celtic at The Gene-Swamp
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Order now at https://t.co/jXLgPJMlRm for uplift tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/1PTgyu9DsT
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Celtic in the Eighties by the late, great David Potter is out now on Celtic Star Books. Celtic in the Eighties is now available in the Celtic superstore and all other club shops. And don’t forget that you can still purchase your copy directly from Celticstarbooks.com for same day postage.
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