Kilmarnock 0 Celtic 1

SCOTT BROWN scored a dramatic winner for Celtic against ten man Kilmarnock in the closing stages at Rugby Park this afternoon, then picked up a second yellow card of the afternoon to level up the numbers. The Celtic captain’s goal celebrations after his skyward shot from a Boyata knockdown was diverted into the goal via the outstretched arm of the lunging defender. Whether Bobby Madden would or would not have given the stonewaller was immaterial as delightfully the ball causally rolled into the corner of the goal.

Celtic seemed to be going nowhere fast in the second half until Kirk Broadfoot, had his biggest howler since faux pas sticking that egg in the microwave, gave Madden little alternative but to show him a straight red for an awful, aggressive high tackle on Scott Brown. For some reason the Killie fans decided to constantly boo the Celtic captain, here the victim of a vicious challenge, but Broony had the last laugh on them in that dramatic 91st minute.

Celtic started brightly enough at Rugby Park this afternoon with Odsonne Edouard heavily involved. With 7 minutes gone the young French striker, with his back to goal turned and got a low shot away but it was agonizingly wide on the post. Forrest and Toljan had combined well to carve out the chance after Celtic had knocked the ball around the plastic pitch impressively.

This all happened just after Scott Bain pulled off a decent save but an offside flag would have saved Celtic anyway. It was a rare moment in attack for the home side in the opening period. Christie did well to find Edouard on 12 minutes but Bachman in the Killie goals was equal to the shot. Moments later Bobby Madden decides that a free kick is enough when Power goers through McGregor yet later in the half he is quick to pull out a yellow for Scott Brown for a similar type of challenge. There would be no complaints about the Brown booking but Madden’s decision to show leniency to Power was baffling.

Celtic continued to press and after some determined play from Jonny Hayes – in for the injured Emilio Izaguirre – Scotty Sinclair puts in a decent cross for Ryan Christie but his shot is comfortable for the Killie keeper.

Madden decides that Bain hadn’t gathered before the ball went off the park – a dubious shout to say the least – and Broadfoot got his head to the resulting corner but his effort drifted wide. But it was Celtic who were drifting after that – out of the game – as KIlmanock enjoyed the majority of possession in the quarter of an hour before the interval. It ended goalless but it was looking like it was going to be a tough shift for the Champions.

The second half opened with the home side of the front foot again and Kilmarnock had the ball in the net but a deliberate handball by McAleny was spotted by Madden, although curiously his card was kept in his pocket.

There was even a moment when Ryan Christie attempted a long range shot and it was deflected…by Bobby Madden! It was looking like that kind of day.

Celtic went into their well rehearsed drills when playing against ten men and Callum McGregor started finding some penetrating passes, particularly for Jonny Hayes. The pressure was mounting on the Killie defence but time was readily running out for Celtic.

Brendan Rodgers had thrown everything at it from the bench with Oli Burke, Timo Weah and even Bayo coming on for his debut with a few minutes remaining. But it was Boyata who won the knockdown , for Scott Brown to grab that late, dramatic, goal.

The celebrations mirrored the recent events as the Rangers beat Livingston and it was probably inevitable that the Celtic fans would do the same at an away ground. This was a significant moment in the league race. From being level on points on 29 December, Celtic have been in perfect domestic form, winning every game without conceding a goal. That has resulted in an eight point lead and televisions being kicked by bluenoses everywhere.

It was a delicious goal and Broony cared not one jot about the second yellow from Madden. Off he went to celebrate. Burke’s speed and skill almost set up Timo Weah for a second but the keeper got the slightest of touches to push it onto the post. Madden gave a goal kick and played an extra 90 seconds of stoppage time. He then booked Weah for sticking up for himself at the final whistle after being on the receiving end of some abuse. His teammates dragged him away from the trouble as the delighted Celtic fans who paid £27 for their tickets, celebrated a huge win on the way to 8IAR.

Man of the Match – Dedryck Boyata

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The Valencia file (Part 7) – The flashing head of Cesar breaks Vojvodina hearts