2019-04-27: Celtic 1-0 Kilmarnock, SP

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Review

Neil Lennon: “I don’t think you can pay a bigger tribute to Billy than that…Jozo scoring on 67 minutes”.

(TMH of KDS)
Yesterday’s performance and result pretty much summed up this season for me – we’ve mostly got the results we needed, but often thanks to mental strength and physical fitness, rather than quality (off the pitch as much as on it). And when we’ve come up against well coached sides with much less quality, we’ve often toiled.

In future years, the record books will show we won our 8th league title in a row with something to spare – but our squad, management and board have struggled to convince for much of the season.
We started with a pretty grim transfer window, reflected in shambolic defensive performances, especially in the CL qualifying rounds.
We went into the winter break neck & neck at the top of the league after our worst team performance at Ibrox in decades.
We came back from the winter break with a couple of exciting attacking loan signings and a new 1st choice goalkeeper – and went on a run that opened a double-digit gap on the rest of the league.
We lost our manager as a league-winning run of comparatively easy post-break fixtures came to an end, and despite the turmoil his departure caused, still have a double-digit lead at the top of the table with 3 games to go – even if our performances since then have often been depressing.
With the league all but won, we lost our greatest ever captain, a man who personified our club.

Right now, our defence is much more convincing than it was at the start of the season, but our midfield and attack much less so – and most of the team have looked like they’re running on fumes for weeks. We also have a number of key players either at the ends of their careers with us (Boyata, Lustig, Izaguirre), repeatedly injured (Rogic, Tierney), or on short loans (Benkovic, Weah, Burke).
If we’re to ensure we win 9, let alone 10 in a row, we need a fairly radical freshening up of the 1st team and coaching staff between now & the start of CL qualifiers.

Teams

Celtic

• 29 Bain
• 23 Lustig
• 05 Simunovic
• 35 AjerBooked at 81mins
• 03 Izaguirre
• 08 Brown
• 42 McGregor
• 49 Forrest Substituted for Hayes at 79’minutes
• 18 Rogic
• 11 Sinclair
• 22 Edouard

Substitutes

• 2Toljan
• 15Hayes
• 21Ntcham
• 24de Vries
• 25Burke
• 32Benkovic
• 73Johnston

Goals

• Simunovic (67′ minutes)

Kilmarnock

• 26Bachmann
• 2O’Donnell
• 4Bruce
• 8Dicker
• 3Taylor
• 29Burke Substituted forMcKenzieat 79’minutes
• · 27TshibolaBooked at 50mins
• · 6PowerBooked at 41mins
• 19Millar Substituted forNdjoliat 78’minutes
• 15McAleny
• 25Brophy Substituted forBoydat 87’minutes

Substitutes

• 1MacDonald
• 7McKenzie
• 9Boyd
• 12Ndjoli
• 18Waters
• 21Frizzell
• 22Millen

Referee:
William Collum
Attendance:
58,851

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Stats

Celtic
Kilmarnock

Possession
Home61%
Away39%

Shots
Home27
Away11

Shots on Target
Home6
Away6

Corners
Home6
Away5

Fouls
Home15
Away10

Articles

Celtic 1 – 0 Kilmarnock: Celtic’s No.5 edges league leaders closer to the title

Celtic’s Jozo Simunovic scores on a day that the club remember their legendary former No.5 Billy McNeill. Pic: SNS/Bill Murray
Celtic’s Jozo Simunovic scores on a day that the club remember their legendary former No.5 Billy McNeill. Pic: SNS/Bill Murray
Andrew Smith
Published: 14:26 Saturday 27 April 2019
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic-1-0-kilmarnock-celtic-s-no-5-edges-league-leaders-closer-to-the-title-1-4916259
Billy McNeill often remarked that there is a fairytale quality to Celtic. On the day that club celebrated the life of their Prince Charming, the late McNeill’s sentiment was exemplified in the decisive moment that delivered the happy ever after from an encounter that, at times, threatened to be a grim tale for the champions-elect.

It really did feel like there was some supreme, fated quality to Celtic’s No.5 Jozo Simunovic producing a McNeill-style jump at the back post to glance in a Callum McGregor cross with 67 minutes showing on the stadium clock. The whole swirl of emotion across the afternoon had centred around the career touchstones of McNeill as Celtic’s captain and galvaniser extraordinaire, who wore the No.5 on his shorts and in 1967 in Lisbon became the first player to hold aloft the European Cup with a British club.

The Celtic players all sported the No.5 on the black armbands they adorned on the day; the centre circle was enveloped by a giant, green-and-white hooped circular covering that had the figure “5” overlaid on it, and the Green Brigade produced a display that had as its focus the famous image of McNeill lifting the big cup under the legend ‘Hail Cesar’, in recognition both of the club’s anthem and the nickname of their iconic former captain and manager.

Simunovic pointed to the skies as he wheeled away in celebration of a goal that means only an extraordinary turnaround could deprive Celtic of an eighth straight title. A 50th championship in all, McNeill has played his part in more of those than any other individual in the club’s history; with nine as a player and four as manager.

For current interim Neil Lennon, with his passing this week, McNeill might have had higher power to affect the club moving to the brink of another – Rangers requiring to win at home to Aberdeen tomorrow to retain any hope of nicking the title on goal difference across the three remaining league fixtures

“It’s amazing when you think about it,” he said, having started the day laying a wreath at the statue of McNeill situated at the entrance to the Celtic way leading up to the stadium. “That was a perfect way to win the game, I suppose, under the circumstances with everything that’s happened this week and today. The big man might have been looking down on us when we needed a goal.”

A Celtic Park, fittingly, full and full of voice as it only tends to be on European nights, sang paeans to McNeill throughout. And, yet, for all this, Kilmarnock produced a cohesiveness and a menace that largely deserted a clumsy and stodgy Celtic. Lennon conceded they are “grinding” their way to the title, but joked he was not to “blame”. They are a team that appears to have hit the wall, physically, and but for the defensive barrier offered by keeper Scott Bain, who produced three top drawer saves – twice denying Chris Burke and thwarting a venomous effort from Alan Power – Steve Clarke’s men could easily have claimed all three points.

Following his rubbling of the reputation of referee Steven McLean last week that has landed him an SFA charge, the Ayrshire manager picked his words a little more carefully when picking apart the unhelpful display of official Willie Collum, who appeared to deny his men a penalty when Scott Brown nudged Stephen O’Donnell in the box only 14 minutes in. “Soft but a penalty,” Clarke said of the incident. “As he goes to play the ball, he gets pushed in the back so it’s a penalty. I think I shouldn’t speak anything else about referees.”

His team “definitely” deserved more from an afternoon when the fates appeared to conspire against them. “The players were terrific, great effort, good application, we just missed that little bit of quality on the finishes. We had the best chance of the first half, good opportunities.” What weighted against them was an overwhelming sense of history wrapped up with the loss of a titan of the Scottish game and that simply appeared as if it had to be served.

Celtic goalscorer Jozo Simunovic: I believe I’m blessed
Celtic’s Jozo Simunovic hands his shirt over to Liz McNeill, wife of Billy, at the end of the match. Pic: SNS/Craig Williamson
Celtic’s Jozo Simunovic hands his shirt over to Liz McNeill, wife of Billy, at the end of the match. Pic: SNS/Craig Williamson
Andrew Smith
Published: 17:52 Saturday 27 April 2019
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-goalscorer-jozo-simunovic-i-believe-i-m-blessed-1-4916344
There were inescapable and powerful feelings exuded by Jozo Simunovic that his match-winning contribution in the 1-0 win over Kilmarnock that places the club on the threshold of title success, and the circumstances in which it came about, were all pre-ordained.

The Croatian centre-back said the “favourite moment” of his Celtic career, and one that will remain with the 24-year-old all his days, he considered was set from when the team bus drove up the Celtic way and witnessed the shrine to Billy McNeill that had engulfed the statue to Celtic’s ultimate No.5, and the captain of the 1967 European Cup-winning side, since his death on Monday night. What followed on a day of celebration for the life of McNeill was no mere coincidence, Simunovic claimed.

“I was surprised on the bus before the game when I saw so many fans. I couldn’t have imagined something like that,” he said. “That gave me an impulse to give even more in this game. I believed it would be a special day for me because of the number five. For everyone, it meant a lot but for me it was special.

“The manager spoke to us about Billy before the game to help inspire us. Everyone knows how big a name he is at this club and the impact he had on Celtic. He was a leader, an amazing guy. Before the game we had a meeting where the manager said a few things about him. That motivated us even more.

“Some people will say that I’m lucky to score with the number five on 67 minutes. But I say I’m blessed. I believe in that.”

That the clock was showing 67 minutes when he netted his header was something that Simunovic, who pointed to the skies, was not immediately aware of. “First, when I scored, I didn’t even watch on screen,” explained the defender. “I had something on my mind and 
I’m going to keep that for myself, what I said. But, when they start with the ball from half pitch, I turned around and thought ‘you know, maybe it’s that minute’. And it actually was it. It made me even happier.”

Even after the game, there was a moment to treasure when Simunovic gave his No.5 shirt to the McNeill family.

“Trophies are also special, but for me this is something else,” the player said. “In having a chat with Billy’s family after [and giving the shirt] that gave me even more reasons to remember all of this.”

BBC

By Tom English

BBC Scotland at Celtic Park

From the section Scottish Premiership

The goal by No.5 Jozo Simunovic came after 67 minutes had elapsed
The goal by number five Jozo Simunovic came after 67 minutes had elapsed

A goal from their number five with 67 minutes played on the day they marked the death of Billy McNeill moved Celtic to within a point of the Scottish Premiership title.

Jozo Simunovic headed in wearing the jersey graced by the Lisbon Lion and former manager, who died on Monday.

Celtic started briskly, having taken part in wreath laying before kick-off.

But goalkeeper Scott Bain had to deny Kilmarnock on several occasions before Celtic eked out a narrow victory.

Rangers must now beat Aberdeen at Ibrox on Sunday to delay their city rivals earning an eighth successive championship.

Celtic are now unbeaten in 15 Premiership games but were made to work hard for their win against a makeshift Kilmarnock side shorn of three first-team regulars through suspension.

Celtic pay tribute to McNeill
Lennon hopes for Aberdeen favour
How did you rate the players?

Display fails to match classy tributes

All week, the Celtic fans had mourned and celebrated their ultimate hero and that huge appreciation of the life and times of the great man swept across the stadium like a giant wave.

A huge number five bedecked the centre circle and the players’ black armbands, members of the 1967 European Cup-winning team were brought on to the pitch, there were songs and flags and 67 seconds of applause. It was a classy farewell, the kind of send-off that demanded a dominant display in its wake. And that’s where Celtic’s problems began.
Those inside Celtic Park paid tribute to Billy McNeill before the match
Those inside Celtic Park paid tribute to Billy McNeill before the match

Through suspension and injury, Kilmarnock were missing three defenders, not that you would have noticed. Gary Dicker and Alex Bruce were deposited in the heart of the defence and were excellent. Stephen O’Donnell was high-energy alongside them. In front, Alan Power was alert and influential and, further on, the visitors had pace and wit through Chris Burke, Liam Millar and Eamonn Brophy.

Celtic had little zip about them in the opening half. Their tempo was slow, their urgency and accuracy nowhere near what the crowd was looking for on this day of all days. You expected the emotion of the day to produce a powerhouse performance, but they haven’t been delivering that kind of excellence for quite a while now.

They dug it out in the end after an improved second half. The winner came after 67 minutes – spooky enough – and 16 seconds through a header from a centre-half wearing the number five that McNeill once wore. Spookier still.

The points were precious, but this was another below-par Celtic day in a growing list of below-par Celtic days. Little of what happened here will have added ballast to Neil Lennon’s prospects of being the permanent manager in the summer.

Bottom line, it was a win, but the visitors made it nervous to the last kick. Kilmarnock should have been ahead at the break. Three minutes after a penalty shout when O’Donnell was challenged by Scott Brown, Burke got a lucky break of the ball in the Celtic penalty area and a bit more decisiveness in his finish was required. One-on-one with Bain, his attempt was too tame. It was a golden chance.

Three minutes later, Kilmarnock cut through again, Millar breaking away from James Forrest and Mikael Lustig down the left only to shoot straight at Bain from the angle. Directly after, Conor McAleny fired on goal, Bain tipping it over for a corner.

A fourth attacking moment came within minutes, Kristoffer Ajer losing control of the ball in front of his own box and getting ransacked by Brophy. It was only the defender’s pace to put a tackle in on the striker that dug him out of a hole.
Jozo Simunovic’s header was his first goal of the season
Jozo Simunovic’s header was his first goal of the season
Invaluable goal in different ways

None of this was doing Lennon’s chances of getting the Celtic job on a permanent basis any good. The beginning of the new half saw Kilmarnock continue their threat, Brophy and Burke testing Bain.

Celtic had to get their act together sooner or later and the first suggestion that they were about to climb from their torpor was an Odsonne Edouard effort that curled just wide of Daniel Bachmann’s goal.

Bachmann was pressed into action again within seconds, denying Callum McGregor and Edouard in a mad flurry. Kilmarnock were defending much deeper now. Celtic were beginning to carry that menace you thought would be there from the get-go.

A brilliant piece of defending kept Edouard out just after the hour, but the defensive stand was about to crack. Simunovic soared above Aaron Tshibola and nutted home at the back post to bring joy, but mostly relief, to Celtic Park.

The goal was invaluable not just because of the importance of the three points in the context of wrapping up the league title sooner rather than later, but because of their desperation to do justice to this emotional occasion with a victory rather than a deflating draw, or worse.

Celtic did enough, just. They were nervous and inaccurate for much of it against a sprightly team that will feel unfortunate not to get something from their day.

The big number five in the middle of the Celtic defence made sure they got nothing. How many times has that been said in their distant and more glorious past?

Match ends, Celtic 1, Kilmarnock 0.
Full Time
Posted at 90′-4′

Second Half ends, Celtic 1, Kilmarnock 0.
Posted at 90′-3′

Foul by Odsonne Edouard (Celtic).
Posted at 90′-3′

Stephen O’Donnell (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 90′-3′

Attempt blocked. Alan Power (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Posted at 90′-2′

Foul by Odsonne Edouard (Celtic).
Posted at 90′-2′

Gary Dicker (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 90′-1′

Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 90′-1′

Foul by Olivier Ntcham (Celtic).
Posted at 90′-1′

Olivier Ntcham (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 90′-1′

Foul by Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock).
Posted at 89′

Jozo Simunovic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 89′

Foul by Kris Boyd (Kilmarnock).
Posted at 88′

Attempt missed. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner.
Substitution
Posted at 87′

Substitution, Kilmarnock. Kris Boyd replaces Eamonn Brophy because of an injury.
Posted at 86′

Jonny Hayes (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 86′

Foul by Greg Taylor (Kilmarnock).
Posted at 83′

Foul by Jonny Hayes (Celtic).
Posted at 83′

Greg Taylor (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 81′

Attempt missed. Gary Dicker (Kilmarnock) header from the centre of the box is too high following a set piece situation.
Booking
Posted at 81′

Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 81′

Foul by Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic).
Posted at 81′

Eamonn Brophy (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Posted at 79′

Substitution, Celtic. Olivier Ntcham replaces Tomas Rogic.
Substitution
Posted at 79′

Substitution, Celtic. Jonny Hayes replaces James Forrest.
Substitution
Posted at 79′

Substitution, Kilmarnock. Rory McKenzie replaces Chris Burke.
Substitution
Posted at 78′

Substitution, Kilmarnock. Mikael Ndjoli replaces Liam Millar.
Posted at 77′

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
Posted at 77′

Liam Millar (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Booking
Posted at 76′

Tomas Rogic (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 76′

Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
Posted at 76′

Stephen O’Donnell (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 75′

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Aaron Tshibola.
Posted at 75′

Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Posted at 72′

Attempt missed. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is too high.
Goal!
Posted at 68′

Goal! Celtic 1, Kilmarnock 0. Jozo Simunovic (Celtic) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Callum McGregor with a cross following a corner.
Posted at 67′

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Greg Taylor.
Posted at 66′

Attempt missed. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
Posted at 66′

Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Posted at 64′

Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
Posted at 64′

Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 63′

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Posted at 63′

Delay in match Alex Bruce (Kilmarnock) because of an injury.
Posted at 62′

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Stephen O’Donnell.
Posted at 60′

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
Posted at 60′

Chris Burke (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 60′

Attempt blocked. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Posted at 60′

Attempt saved. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Posted at 60′

Attempt blocked. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Posted at 58′

Attempt missed. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
Posted at 57′

Attempt missed. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
Posted at 56′

Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Scott Bain.
Posted at 55′

Attempt saved. Chris Burke (Kilmarnock) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Posted at 53′

Attempt missed. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) header from the right side of the six yard box is just a bit too high.
Posted at 51′

Attempt saved. Eamonn Brophy (Kilmarnock) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the bottom right corner.
Posted at 51′

Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
Posted at 51′

Gary Dicker (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Posted at 50′

Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 50′

Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 50′

Foul by Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock).
Posted at 49′

Attempt saved. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Posted at 49′

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alex Bruce.
Posted at 47′

Attempt saved. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Posted at 47′

Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Second Half
Posted at

Second Half begins Celtic 0, Kilmarnock 0.
Half Time
Posted at 45′-1′

First Half ends, Celtic 0, Kilmarnock 0.
Posted at 44′

Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left following a fast break.
Posted at 44′

Attempt saved. Conor McAleny (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 42′

Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses the top right corner.
Booking
Posted at 41′

Alan Power (Kilmarnock) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 41′

Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 41′

Foul by Alan Power (Kilmarnock).
Posted at 39′

Attempt saved. Mikael Lustig (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 38′

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Greg Taylor.
Posted at 38′

Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Posted at 36′

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 36′

Foul by Alan Power (Kilmarnock).
Posted at 35′

Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 35′

Foul by Conor McAleny (Kilmarnock).
Posted at 34′

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
Posted at 34′

Eamonn Brophy (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 32′

Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Mikael Lustig.
Posted at 28′

Foul by Mikael Lustig (Celtic).
Posted at 28′

Greg Taylor (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 27′

Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Kristoffer Ajer.
Posted at 27′

Attempt blocked. Eamonn Brophy (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Posted at 27′

Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Posted at 25′

Attempt missed. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right.
Posted at 23′

Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 23′

Foul by Eamonn Brophy (Kilmarnock).
Posted at 22′

Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Scott Bain.
Posted at 22′

Attempt saved. Conor McAleny (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Posted at 21′

Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Mikael Lustig.
Posted at 21′

Attempt saved. Liam Millar (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Posted at 20′

Foul by Jozo Simunovic (Celtic).
Posted at 20′

Eamonn Brophy (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 19′

Attempt saved. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Posted at 18′

Attempt saved. Chris Burke (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Posted at 13′

Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left.
Posted at 12′

Attempt blocked. Eamonn Brophy (Kilmarnock) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Posted at 11′

Hand ball by Stephen O’Donnell (Kilmarnock).
Posted at 9′

Attempt missed. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left from a direct free kick.
Posted at 9′

Foul by Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock).
Posted at 9′

Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 8′

Attempt missed. Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
Posted at 7′

Attempt missed. Eamonn Brophy (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right.
Posted at 7′

Liam Millar (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 7′

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
Posted at 6′

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alan Power.
Posted at 6′

Attempt blocked. Scott Brown (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Posted at 4′

Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Posted at 3′

Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 3′

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
Kick Off
Posted at

First Half begins.

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
BBC
Billy McNeill: Jozo Simunovic winner ‘perfect’ way to mark legend’s death – Neil Lennon

From the section Celtic

‘I think Billy would have been delighted’

Jozo Simunovic scoring Celtic’s winner against Kilmarnock was a “perfect” way to pay tribute to club legend Billy McNeill, says manager Neil Lennon.

Simunovic wears the number five jersey once graced by the former Celtic defender and manager, who captained the side to European Cup glory in 1967.

His goal came after 67 minutes and Lennon said he thought “Billy would have been delighted”.

It came during a day of events designed to celebrate the club legend’s life.

Lennon and captain Scott Brown laid a wreath at McNeill’s statue ahead of kick-off and the crowd burst into a rendition of the Celtic Song.

McNeill died on Monday aged 79 and his family wanted his life commemorated in “cheers, songs and applause” at the Premiership game against Kilmarnock.

With McNeill’s former Lisbon Lions team-mates in attendance, a minute’s applause was held before kick-off and video tributes shown and Celtic’s players wore black armbands bearing the number five.

City rivals Rangers will also hold a minute’s applause when they host Aberdeen – who McNeill managed – on Sunday, as did various other SPFL clubs on Saturday.

Lennon thought his side’s 1-0 win, which takes Celtic to within a point of an eighth consecutive Scottish title, “couldn’t have turned out any better”.

“He would have been delighted with the centre-backs, both of them, their performance, the clean sheet and obviously the number five getting the winner,” he told BBC Scotland.
‘Quiet, respectful, reflective atmosphere’

BBC Scotland’s Jonathan Sutherland at Celtic Park

There was a real sense of emotion in the air as the Celtic team coach arrived at the foot of the Celtic Way. The players emerged, led by Lennon and Brown as applause swept through the large crowd that had assembled to greet them, gathered around the statue of McNeil holding aloft the European Cup.

It was a poignant moment as the captain and manager laid a wreath and the crowds remained as the players made their way into the stadium, with the applause continuing as the surviving Lisbon Lions also arrived. A quiet, respectful, reflective atmosphere here at Celtic Park for now in the spring sunshine.

Celtic’s No.5 scores 67th-minute winner as Paradise honours Cesar#

https://www.celticfc.com/news/16087/
27 Apr 2019

Match Report

By Tony Connelly

Share
27 Apr 2019, 3:22 pm

Scottish Premiership
Saturday, May 27, 2019
Celtic Park, Glasgow

CELTIC…1
(Simunovic 67)

KILMARNOCK…0

CELTIC paid tribute to the life of Billy McNeill in most fitting circumstances as Jozo Simunovic, Celtic’s number 5, scored the winning goal against Kilmarnock in the 67th-minute. An emotional day at Paradise ended with the champions winning 1-0 and edging ever closer to an eighth successive league title.

Simunovic gave Celtic the goal they thoroughly deserved in the second half with a wonderful header reminiscent of those scored so often by the club’s greatest ever captain.

It was a lively start from the Hoops and the first opportunity fell to captain Scott Brown who drilled a powerful shot from distance which took a deflection before skimming past the wrong side of the post. Izaguirre similarly tried his luck from distance shortly afterwards when he flashed an ambitious attempt over the crossbar.

The closest Celtic came to taking the lead early on stemmed from a surging run forward from Kristoffer Ajer after the Norwegian defender intercepted the ball in his own half. It ended with James Forrest cutting a good pass back for Tom Rogic just inside the box and he took a touch before quickly pulling the trigger. Daniel Bachman was spared once more though as the midfielder was unable to keep the shot down.

Celtic had the bulk of possession but Kilmarnock enjoyed a spell with the ball in the home side’s half and Scott Bain made a series of fantastic saves in quick succession. Kilmarnock winger Chris Burke profited from a break of the ball inside the Celtic box and was gifted an opportunity to put his side ahead, but the Hoops stopper rushed off his line and dived low to his left to make a brilliant save.

The spell of momentum for the visitors yielded two further chances. Liam Miller cut between Mikael Lustig and Forrest and blasted a shot towards the near post from inside the box which Bain did well to save. Conor McAleny then cut inside and let off a shot from the edge of the area which was punched over by Bain.

Celtic quickly found their feet again and resumed their pressure in front of the Killie goal. Odsonne Edouard nearly bolstered his claim for Sunday’s Player of the Year Award when he attempted a bicycle kick from Lustig’s cross but the Frenchman couldn’t connect with the ball. Steve Clarke’s side sat in and managed to weather the storm to get to half time without conceding.

Celtic started the second half on the front foot and crafted a couple of chances in front of goal shortly after the restart. The first came from an Izaguirre cross out on the left and Edouard’s headed straight at the keeper. Rogic then had a pop from the edge of the area but his effort was narrowly off target.

Steve Clarke’s side were organised and proving difficult to break down at times. They also made good use of their pace with quick transitions into attack when they won back possession and they enjoyed more glimpses on goal in the second half.

Thankfully, Bain continued his excellent form with yet more important saves throughout the second half. A mistake from Lustig gifted Chris Burke the ball and, had it not been for another stellar save from Celtic goalkeeper, the visitors would have taken the lead.

Chances were increasing for the Hoops, however, and Bachman was under pressure constantly for the remainder of the game. Killie were let off when a great through ball from Brown found Rogic inside the penalty area. He could have taken the shot but instead opted to cut it back for Edouard, but the pass was just out of reach.

The breakthrough eventually came in the most appropriate of circumstances. On the day where Paradise paid tribute to Celtic legend, Billy McNeill, it celebrated a goal so typical of the Hoops legend. It was the man wearing Cesar’s No.5, Jozo Simunovic, who, just as McNeill had done so many times in the past, rose high at the back post to header in.

As Celtic Park erupted with joy, the clock in the corner of the big screens marked 67 minutes.

Celtic continued to pilled pressure on their opponents as they looked to extend the lead late in the game. McGregor came close after Forrest rolled the ball into the path of his team-mate on the edge of the area but a deflection redirected the ball off target. Edouard threatened with another curling shot towards the far corner but failed to test the keeper.

However, they safely saw out the game to take all the three points on a day of emotion at Paradise.

CELTIC: Bain: Lustig, Simunovic, Ajer, Izaguirre; Brown, McGregor, Rogic (Ntcham 78), Forrest (Hayes 78) Sinclair; Edouard
Subs: De Vries, Toljan, Benkovic, Johnston, Burke

KILMARNOCK: Bachman, O’Donnell, Taylor, Bruce, Power, Dicker, McAlney, Miller (Ndjoli 77), Brophy (Boyd 86), Tshibola, Burke (McKenzie 77)
Subs: MacDonald, Waters, Frizzell, Millen

Website Man of the Match: Jozo Simunovic

Jozo: This is my most special day as a Celtic player

https://www.celticfc.com/news/16088/
27 Apr 2019

First Team

By Paul Cuddihy

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27 Apr 2019, 5:01 pm

BILLY McNeill famously said that there’s a fairytale about Celtic, and on an emotional day when Paradise mourned the loss of the club’s greatest ever captain, there was a fairytale to Celtic’s winning goal against Kilmarnock.

Jozo Simunovic, who wears the No.5 jersey – a number synonymous with Cesar – scored the only goal of the game in the 67th minute. Not only that, but it was reminiscent of some great Billy McNeill goals from the past, as the Croatian defender rose highest at the back post and bulleted a header into the Killie net.

The stadium erupted in celebration as the goalscorer looked to the sky… it was the perfect Paradise moment. And after the game, in a poignant gesture, Simunovic presented his No.5 jersey to Billy’s wife, Liz.

Speaking of the 1-0 win and his goalscoring exploits, the 24-year-old said: “It is definitely my favourite moment in a Celtic jersey. When I scored, I didn’t even watch it on screen. I had something on my mind that I’m going to keep that to myself.

“When they kicked off, I turned round I thought maybe it was the 67th minute, and it was. It made me even happier.

“I believed it was going to be a special day for me because of the number 5, because of the turnout of supporters, and because of my team-mates and coaching staff. For everyone it meant a lot, but for me it was something special.

“Everyone knows how big an impact Billy McNeill made at this club. He was a big leader and an amazing guy. Before the game, we had a meeting, and the manager said a few things about him and that motivated us.

“Somebody will say I’m lucky but I would say I’m blessed. I believe in that. I’m a Christian and my biggest support comes from above.

“I had a chat with Billy’s family after the game and that gave me even more reasons to remember all of this.”

And Simunovic is also delighted with his run of games under Neil Lennon, with the defender having played in Celtic’s last five games, helping the Hoops keep five clean sheets in the process.

“The manager keeps putting his trust in me,” he said. “He has had a chat with every player and he told me what he expects from me. I’m just following that. We keep keeping clean sheets and that’s how we need to keep going.

“Of course, trophies are also special, but this goal and win today, for me, is something else.”

Manager: Win against Kilmarnock was perfect tribute to Cesar

https://www.celticfc.com/news/16089/
27 Apr 2019

First Team

By Tony Connelly

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27 Apr 2019, 6:31 pm

NEIL Lennon described Celtic’s win against Kilmarnock as the perfect way to celebrate Billy McNeill’s life as his side moved in on the league title with a 1-0 victory. Celtic fans packed Paradise on an emotional afternoon as the club paid an emotional tribute to Cesar following the Lisbon Lions captain’s sad passing on Monday night (April 22).

Neil Lennon and Scott Brown laid a wreath beside Billy’s statue on the Celtic Way as the first-team paid their respects to the club’s greatest ever captain upon their arrival at the stadium. The tributes continued before kick-off as John Innes performed a beautiful rendition of ‘Nessun Dorma’ and afterwards Paradise had 67 seconds of applause as a tribute.

Celtic started the game brightly but, as is so typical of Steve Clarke’s side, Kilmarnock were well-organised and proved difficult to breakdown.

The breakthrough eventually came, and in the most fitting circumstances given the occasion. It was none other than Celtic’s No.5, Jozo Simunovic, who scored the goal, heading home in the 67th minute. Speaking to the media following the game, Neil Lennon said the nature of the win could not have been more appropriate.

“It’s amazing when you think about it,” he said. “That was a perfect way to win the game I suppose under the circumstances, with everything that’s happened this week and today.

“The big man might have been looking down on us when we needed a goal. Jozo has been outstanding for me since I’ve come in. I want my centre-halves to attack the ball more and he’s doing that on a regular basis.”

Celtic could clinch the league title tomorrow if second place, Rangers, fail to take all three points against Aberdeen at Ibrox. The Celtic manager said his concentration was only on what his team needed to do to win the league and praised his players for their hard work.

“I’m pleased with the win, pleased with the second-half and it’s a great three points,” he said. “They did overcome an obstinate hurdle today, so tomorrow will bring whatever it does. We know we need a point now just to guarantee it.

“We are comfortable in our league position but there is so much expectation on these players at the minute for what they’ve created and achieved – and there is so much asked of them all the time.

“They are human beings and they can’t always play scintillating football. Right now, we are grinding. I get that. But we are grinding in the right way. We are winning games and keeping clean sheets.”