Memo to Neil McCann – Added on time is of benefit to both sides…
Neil McCann at Rugby Park. at Rugby Park. Kilmarnock 2 Celtic 3. Scottish Premiership. Sunday 15 February 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
The past few games has seen us win by scoring in stoppage time, usually the sign of a team that never gives up, but when it comes to Celtic, it’s adjudged to be something more sinister if you where to believe the moon howlers that plague the Scottish Footballing scene.
The usual conspiracy theory nuts on social media have been busy fuelling this very narrative, but now even pundits and managers are starting to get in on it as well, with the likes of the bitter Ibrox cheerleader Kris Boyd, and Killie’s bluenose boss Neil McCann also chipping in.
Seven Minutes added at Rugby Park as Martin O’Neill looks on. Kilmarnock 2 Celtic 3. Scottish Premiership. Sunday 15 February 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Listen, added on time isn’t just to the benefit one side, it benefits both sets of players on the park. Whether it’s two minutes, or twelve minutes, both sides have got to play until the last second has passed. It’s added on for a reason, and that is to try to make sure the full 90 minutes are completed, going with the rules of the game.
Yesterday we benefited from the allocated seven minutes that were added, but as Chris Sutton pointed out on X, it could and should’ve been a lot more than the seven minutes that were allocated. Two head knocks, eight substitutions and two goals, not to mention the flurry of time wasting by the home side prove just that.
For all the whinging about the seven minutes added on at Kilmarnock. Seven minutes was light in truth with the lengthy stoppages for Lyons and Thompson and all the subs… sour grapes springs to mind and jealousy…
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) February 15, 2026
Referee Duncan Nicolson at Rugby Park. Kilmarnock 2 Celtic 3. Scottish Premiership. Sunday 15 February 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Every single side in the league has to deal with added time, it’s not just exclusively a Celtic thing, and it’s something we see even more these days thanks to the introduction to the hindrance that is VAR. My colleague Matthew Marr writing on The Celtic Star today provides the stats that show Celtic game actually have less added on time than any other side in the Scottish Premiership.
There’s also the fact that sides who play against Celtic like to indulge in time wasting, something that’s become common practice these past few years. So maybe opposing managers should rethink their stance on that aspect when facing the champions?
Neil McCann, Media Conference at Rugby Park. Kilmarnock 2 Celtic 3. Scottish Premiership. Sunday 15 February 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Julian Araujo celebrates at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock 2 Celtic 3. Scottish Premiership. Sunday 15 February 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Added time is of benefit of both sides on the park, it’s not just one side who is allowed the chance to make it count. Celtic are fortunate enough to take advantage, maybe other sides should start doing the same?
2-0 is a deceptive scoreline in football because if you lose the next goal that the team chasing the game has the momentum. Celtic are chasing the title and will always play to the final whistle looking for the three points. That’s exactly what happened yesterday and that’s why we are usually Champions.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
