Liam Scales earns Celtic narrow win over Kilmarnock
Kasper Hogh had a goal disallowed and Benjamin Nygren missed a second-half penalty.
Liam Scales provided a looping finish to earn Celtic a 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock.
The Irish defender hooked a Camilo Duran cross into the top corner in the 26th minute to restore Celtic’s four-point lead in the William Hill Premiership.
Celtic – and Kasper Hogh in particular – otherwise had a frustrating day in front of goal, with Benjamin Nygren missing a second-half penalty.
Hogh had an early goal disallowed as his barren run without a goal hit the 16-game mark since he netted a hat-trick at Kilmarnock on his second appearance.
The Danish striker finished from seven yards after being set up by Nygren and ran to the standing section to celebrate.
His joy was short-lived as referee John Beaton was summoned to the monitor and gave a free-kick to Killie for Mika Baur’s challenge on Greg Kiltie.
Killie had some good first-half chances and Celtic could not get the two-goal cushion in a dominant second half.
The champions were nearly made to pay in stoppage time, but Ieuan Owen could not make any contact with Erik Ring’s inviting cross inside the six-yard box.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill handed Jota his first start since returning from his 18-month lay-off. The Portuguese winger showed some good touches on the left without making a major impact and made way for the fit-again Yang Hyun-jun at half-time.
A Remembrance Day silence lasted barely 20 seconds, with boos coming from all sides of the stadium. The lower tier of the standing section was empty until the Green Brigade and other fans started to file in from the concourse when referee Beaton’s whistle signalled the end of the tribute.
They would have entered to their team one goal behind had Tom Lowery delivered a more emphatic finish after Owen’s cross set him up inside 40 seconds. Sam Johnstone pulled off a double save to deny the midfielder.
Hogh had another good chance soon after his disallowed goal when Duran played him through, but the former Bodo/Glimt forward’s attempt hit the foot of goalkeeper Nico Mantl.
The Dane soon set up Colby Donovan with a clever backheel, but the right-back fired just wide.
Celtic opened the scoring when Scales ran unchallenged to volley Duran’s cross past a static Mantl from 10 yards.
Killie were very much in the game and Johnstone saved from Michael Schjonning-Larsen before Tyreece John-Jules failed to make the most of a good opportunity.
Mantl saved Nygren’s free-kick and he was a busy man after the interval.
The Killie keeper saved from Duran and the Colombian, Donovan, Hogh, Yang and James Forrest all missed the target from half
chances.
Baur had a goal disallowed for offside and Hogh was denied by a brilliant diving block from MJ Kamson-Kamara when
Kieran Tierney’s cross fell invitingly.
Mantl stopped Nygren’s penalty after Aaron Tshibola was penalised for handball and the goalkeeper soon denied the Swede
again from open play.
Baur went off with a knock before Yang escaped a second yellow card, despite appearing to pull down Nicky Clescenco.
Killie soon got their big chance to level, but Owen could not convert.