Celtic overcame an early setback against Kilmarnock to go 12 points clear after Steven Gerrard’s side blinked “big time”, yet again, in the lunchtime kick off.
‘Rangers’ faced St Johnstone away from home at 1.30pm and the Bears in the stands barely had time to digest their Sunday roasts before their team fell behind. Things were turned round for the ‘Gers in the second half as goals from Kamberi and Aribo put the Ibrox club in the lead. However, any hopes of completing a comeback were squashed when Stevie May demonstrated that St Johnstone are no Braga, with the striker drawing the Saints level in the 80th minute.
Concurrently, play had been underway at Celtic Park for six minutes when the visitors took the lead through an Eamonn Brophy penalty, following a foul by Jozo Simunovic. A further 14 minutes elapsed before the full time whistle blew in Perth; the match had finished St Johnstone 2-2 ‘Rangers’ and the Govan club could only hope that Kilmarnock could maintain their lead for another 70 minutes.
Hope as they may, ‘Rangers’ title hopes were struck a blow by 3.31pm as Kristoffer Ajer turned home Jullien’s cut back. The Hoops could smell blood and duly took the lead five minutes later, when Greg Taylor’s cross was headed on by Simunovic, before Odsonne Edouard forced the ball over the line.
Kilmarnock were reduced to ten men in the second half – Alan Power receiving a second yellow for a rash tackle on Jeremie Frimpong. Celtic worked the ball wide to utilise the extra man and Greg Taylor put in another fine cross, which was turned in by Leigh Griffiths on his return to the side.
The scoreline stayed that way, Celtic winning the match 3-1. The champions have now won 15 of their last 16 home games and have scored 32 goals since the winter break.
The victory sees Celtic go 12 points clear at the top of the table with ten matches to play (11 for second place elect ‘Rangers’).
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