Match Pictures | Matches: 2020 – 2021
Trivia
- KO: 3pm; only on Celtic TV for season ticket holders & non-uk/ireland subscribers
- Celtic win a league game finally after long run of no victories domestically. Comes a few days after welcome victory over Lille which was admittedly a dead rubber match.
- Celtic out of Europe completely now, so fully concentrating on domestic matches.
- Mikey Johnston back after long time out with injury. Good luck to him.
- Protest arranged by The Celtic Trust outside the ground for protest against the board on current malaise, at 1pm. Celtic asked fans not to attend (see below), all went well without trouble.
- Report: Karamoko Dembele has left people at the club disappointed with his progress with concerns about his “application and attitude”.
- Hibs manager Jack Ross has refused to comment on rumours linking him with a move to Celtic, should Neil Lennon fail to turnaround fortunes at Parkhead.
- Celtic AGM next day, report below
- Scottish Cup final next week for Celtic to complete the quadruple (delayed from last season)
- Atlantic League: Reports in Daily Record claiming Aberdeen CEO Dave Cormack is keen to reignite the possibility of a league involving clubs mainly from Scotland and Scandinavia
- Reports: Celtic are keeping tabs on Airdrie winger Thomas Robert, son of former Newcastle United star Laurent, having watched the exciting 20-year-old in action for the Scottish League One side (third tier).
- Shane Duffy has been backed to succeed at Celtic from the manager who loaned him to the club. Brighton boss Graham Potter revealed he has no plans to recall the centre-back who has struggled since moving to Parkhead. Potter said: “He is a fighter and he’s a good character. He will come through and has something to prove.”
- Anthony Joshua defeats Kubrat Pulev to retain his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles
- UK Politics: country in freefall due to covid but also Brexit shambles.
- Former France and Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier has passed away aged 73. He was very close to becoming Celtic manger in 1998, but turned Celtic down. RIP
- Legendary Cold War novelist John Le Carre passed away. He avoided titles and once said: “And least of all do I want to be called Commander of the British Empire or any other thing of the British Empire,” he added, saying it was “emetic” or vomit-inducing. RIP
- Covid:
Scottish government has announced a funding package of £55m to help spectator sports through the coronavirus pandemic. First minister Nicola Sturgeon says £30m will be made available to Scottish football and £20m to rugby union. Of the £30m for football, £20m will in the form of loans to Scottish Premiership clubs and the remaining £10m in grants for lower league clubs. Rugby being given £20m is a sham!
Every London club playing in front of fans this weekend has a higher COVID-19 case rate in its home borough compared with Glasgow.
Scottish Open: Mark Selby retains title with 9-3 win over Ronnie O’Sullivan. The competition was held in Milton Keynes! All due to Covid but a lot of criticism.
Summary
Neil Lennon has conceded that his side appearing to get their “mojo” back won’t get some supporters off his or the club board’s back.
“Where’s Henderson?” Common question from Celtic fans after his performance in midweek.
Ajer: “I’m the wrong man for man of the match. I think Duffy should get it, he’s been through a lot and he was very good today and I’m so happy for him so I give it to him.”
Inside the SPFL:
Excellent second half from Celtic, a more relaxed looking team today even when it was level at the break, Ajer was immense, said for a while I think he’s a more natural RB, Elyounoussi, Soro and Turnbull were excellent, Jullien & Duffy looked very comfortable, one game at a time.
TheCelticWiki on Twitter:
“Picking a Cup final team based on sentimentality rather than form, ability & fitness would, irrespective of the result, show contempt for the fans.”
DeeBhoy of KDS:
First half was a bit of huffing and puffing without looking under threat, completely bossed it second half. St Johnston had a really good chance at 2-0 but we got a bit lucky. Edouard is seriously a shadow of the player from last season, don’t know what to do with him because you know the player he can be. The difference Turnbull makes cannot be overstated – having someone who can put in a decent corner or from a free kick is a massive positive. Soro reminds me a lot of Kante when Leicester won the league – I just hope the lad continues but what I like about him is that this is the way he plays – you know what you are going to get, great engine and appears to be in the right place at the right time.
I’d continue to play Ajer at right back and go with Julien and Duffy at centre back – it gives us options to change. The wing positions is where we are really short so good to see Mickey Johnston back even if he will need another month of game time to get match sharp. The last two games (as others have pointed out) really shows the limitations of our manager. These changes have been forced on him and, temporarily at least, he had got lucky. But I expect him to fold and go back to his old favourites at some point either in the Cup Final or against the Huns. I hope I’m wrong.
Teams
Celtic
65Hazard
35Ajer
2Jullien
4Duffy
30Frimpong Substituted forChristieat 69’minutes
12Soro
42McGregor
3Taylor Substituted forLaxaltat 81’minutes
14Turnbull Substituted forRogicat 81’minutes
27Elyounoussi Substituted forJohnstonat 86’minutes
22Edouard Substituted forKlimalaat 69’minutes
Substitutes
1Barkas
8Brown
9Griffiths
10Ajeti
11Klimala
17Christie
18Rogic
19Johnston
93Laxalt
Goals:
Elyounoussi (57′ minutes), Duffy (70′ minutes)
Assists:
Taylor (57′ minutes), Turnbull (70′ minutes)
Kilmarnock
23Rogers
2McGowan
5Broadfoot
17Findlay
3Haunstrup
10Kiltie Substituted forBurkeat 68’minutes
27Tshibola
6PowerBooked at 36mins
7McKenzie
19Pinnock Substituted forMulumbuat 68’minutes
11KabambaBooked at 43mins Substituted forBrophyat 79’minutes
Substitutes
9Brophy
12Whitehall
14Rossi
16Doyle
18Waters
21Mulumbu
29Burke
33Taylor
Ref: Don Robertson
Att: none (covid)
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
- Prior https://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/celtic-v-kilmarnock-spl-sun-13the-dec-3pm-celtic-p-t137669.html?view=unread#unread
- Match https://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/celtic-v-kilmarnock-live-match-thread-ft-2-0-duffo-t137674.html?view=unread#unread
- Post https://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/celtic-v-kilmarnock-post-match-thread-ft-2-0-elyou-t137675.html?view=unread#unread
- MoTM https://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/motm-celtic-v-kilmarnock-t137676.html?view=unread#unread
Stats
Celtic
Kilmarnock
Possession
Home64%
Away36%
Shots
Home26
Away2
Shots on Target
Home10
Away1
Corners
Home10
Away3
Fouls
Home14
Away12
Articles
Celtic notice statement
“The club fully understands the concern and frustration amongst supporters following recent results and performances, but clearly, we do not believe staging an event of this kind is in the best interests of supporters, the team or the club in general, particularly just prior to the match.
“For important clarification, in the present circumstances and given the health risk of gatherings of any kind, the club has not agreed to any gathering taking place. Celtic Football Club is not involved in the organisation of the proposed gathering.
“The club is also duty-bound to point out that it has received legal and safety advice indicating that, if strict social distancing and applicable Scottish Guidance are not implemented, any such gathering would breach current legislation – something the club would wish all supporters to be aware of.”
“As is always the case, the club is, of course, happy to engage with supporters and supporter groups to understand and discuss concerns, and the club encourages supporters to raise their concerns with the club directly. Indeed, following a recent request, we look forward to meeting The Celtic Trust next week.”
Police vans stay full as Celtic no longer running on empty with Kilmarnock win
At a rough count, 16 police vans were stationed outside Celtic Park as Neil Lennon’s men overcame Kilmarnock 2-0.
By Andrew Smith
Sunday, 13th December 2020, 6:34 pm
It was result that ensured the human cargo inside the wagons did not have to disembark. The outcome made the occasion a red-letter day, not another of the red alert Sundays the Parkhead club have endured of late to have their fans descending on the stadium with their metaphorical pitchforks.
The ‘back the team, sack the board’ Celtic Trust protest before kick-off meant the day was not without a demonstration. Mercifully, for Lennon it was not the only one. His players demonstrated that they aren’t simply the failing, feckless bunch they have appeared for so much of the past two months. They showed they can play with a lick of style, and even – shock – prevent their opponents from scoring.
Celtic: Get the latest team news, match previews and reports
A first clean sheet in nine games, a first home success in domestic football in six games and, following on from the 3-2 victory over Lille at Parkhead on Thursday, the first time they have secured back-to-back wins since the opening days of October, it feels Lennon and his men have picked themselves off the canvas in recent days.
Celtic’s Shane Duffy shows his delight after making it 2-0 against Kilmarnock. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)
Celtic’s Shane Duffy shows his delight after making it 2-0 against Kilmarnock. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)
Hazard, Soro and Turnbull
That has been achieved because of the Celtic manager’s inclusion of, what have proved, punchy performers against the French and the Ayrshire side. He retained David Turnbull, Ismaila Soro and keeper Conor Hazard following the freshness and drive with which they inbued a Celtic on their knees after the draw at home to St Johnstone a week ago. Another slip that left them with only two wins from 12 games.
In a matter of four days, they have doubled their win quota since mid-October. And that wasn’t just all to do with Lennon being rewarded for keeping faith with Turnbull, Soro and Hazard, a trio that injected their team with drive and confidence once again. It was also to do with Lennon’s holding on to the belief that he can get a turn out of the universally-filleted Shane Duffy. It was notable that when Turnbull – as he has consistently across his two recent appearances – crafted another fine deadball delivery, to drop a corner on to the head of the Repulbic of Ireland captain to bury for Celtic’s decisive 70th-minute second goal, he was engulfed by all his team-mates.
Commitment, character and competence of the entire Celtic squad and their management team has been understandably questioned as they have found themselves 13-points adrift of Rangers, who have played two games more, in a quagmire quest for an historic 10th title. Yet, they have shown all these facets in lancing Lille and a typically troublesome Rugby Park opponent. Evidenced by the fact that only once in the past three years have they beaten them by a greater margin than two goals. With Turnbull a blur of invention and intent, and Soro grafting for possession, Celtic had a different complexion to them even as they struggled to get on top of a visiting side that had lost four of their past five Premiership matches.
They spread the play better, had more rhythm and precision to their attacks. But for Danny Rodgers making smart blocks from Turnbull, twice, and Jullien, while Odsonne Edouard was wasteful with two gilt-edged opportunities Celtic would not have had to wait until the 57th minute to translate their dominance into a lead. When the opener did arrive, it was of the untidy variety. The beavering Mohamed Elyounoussi exhibited balance and acceleration to carve his way off the left flank and along the edge of the penalty box before letting fly. Then came a bounce around, with his effort grazing Duffy and Aaron McGowan to divert past the Kilmarnock keeper. It was still the Norwegian’s goal, no doubt, and took his tally to eight goals in only 11 outings.
Cup final dilemma
The final act to cheer Lennon came with Hazard showing alertness to pull off a point-blank save from Kirk Broadfoot in the closing minutes. It could be a save that guarantees the 22-year-old Irishman a place in next Sunday’s Scottish Cup final against Hearts. Lennon will now have much to ponder about who plays in front of the Northern Ireland under-21. He hinted post-match that he feels a sense of duty to captain Scott Brown, whose contribution to the club being on the verge of a quadruple treble. Lennon cautioned before the Kilmarnock game that the emergence of Turnbull and Soro didn’t suddenly mean the creation of a ‘new age’ Celtic team, but the £3.5m summer signing from Motherwell has breathed such life into the Scottish champions, it would seem contrary to drop him for Hampden. Likewise with Hazard, even if Ivorian Soro gives way for Brown.
If not for the backdrop, Celtic’s display against Alex Dyer’s team would have seemed the sort of bog-standard harvesting of three points they carried off for ever and a day. And it will exasperate Lennon that such straightforward victories have proved so elusive. The floggings in Europe, the League Cup failing against Ross County, all of these would have been forgiven had Celtic maintained their early Premiership form over the past two months. Instead, seven straight league wins gave way to only six points being acrued from their next five ahead of a Kilmarnock success that at least allowed so many officers of the law to stay warm inside their vehicles.
Celtic: Hazard: Ajer, Jullien, Duffy, Taylor (Laxalt 80); Frimpong (Christie 70), Soro, McGregor, Elyounoussi (Johnston 86); Turnbull (Rogic 80); Edouard (Klimala 70). Subs: Barkas, Brown, Griffiths, Ajeti.
Kilmarnock: Rogers, McGowan, Broadfoot, Findlay, Haunstrup; Kiltie (Burke 68), Tshibola, McKenzie, Power, Pinnock (Mulumbu 70): Kabamba (Brophy 79). Subs: Doyle, Waters, Ibsen Rossi, Taylor, Whitehall.
Match ends, Celtic 2, Kilmarnock 0.
90’+4′
Full Time
Second Half ends, Celtic 2, Kilmarnock 0.
90’+4′
Post update
Attempt missed. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner from a direct free kick.
90’+3′
Post update
Hand ball by Brandon Haunstrup (Kilmarnock).
90’+2′
Post update
Attempt missed. Chris Burke (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.
90’+1′
Post update
Foul by Ismaila Soro (Celtic).
90’+1′
Post update
Alan Power (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
88′
Post update
Attempt missed. Michael Johnston (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
87′
Post update
Foul by Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic).
87′
Post update
Rory McKenzie (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
86′
Post update
Offside, Kilmarnock. Brandon Haunstrup tries a through ball, but Eamonn Brophy is caught offside.
86′
Post update
Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
86′
Post update
Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
86′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Michael Johnston replaces Mohamed Elyounoussi.
81′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Tomas Rogic replaces David Turnbull.
81′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Diego Laxalt replaces Greg Taylor.
80′
Post update
Attempt missed. Shane Duffy (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by David Turnbull with a cross following a corner.
79′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Brandon Haunstrup.
79′
Substitution
Substitution, Kilmarnock. Eamonn Brophy replaces Nicke Kabamba.
78′
Post update
Attempt missed. Ryan Christie (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by David Turnbull.
78′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Shane Duffy (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by David Turnbull with a cross.
75′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Kirk Broadfoot.
74′
Post update
Attempt saved. Nicke Kabamba (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Rory McKenzie with a cross.
74′
Post update
Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Christopher Jullien.
72′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
70′
Goal!
Goal! Celtic 2, Kilmarnock 0. Shane Duffy (Celtic) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by David Turnbull with a cross following a corner.
70′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alan Power.
69′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Patryk Klimala replaces Odsonne Edouard.
69′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Ryan Christie replaces Jeremie Frimpong.
68′
Substitution
Substitution, Kilmarnock. Chris Burke replaces Greg Kiltie.
68′
Substitution
Substitution, Kilmarnock. Youssouf Mulumbu replaces Mitchell Pinnock.
67′
Post update
Foul by Christopher Jullien (Celtic).
67′
Post update
Mitchell Pinnock (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
67′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Stuart Findlay.
67′
Post update
Attempt blocked. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
65′
Post update
Offside, Kilmarnock. Stuart Findlay tries a through ball, but Nicke Kabamba is caught offside.
64′
Post update
Attempt missed. David Turnbull (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Mohamed Elyounoussi.
63′
Post update
Foul by Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic).
63′
Post update
Alan Power (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
62′
Post update
Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
62′
Post update
Foul by Brandon Haunstrup (Kilmarnock).
62′
Post update
Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
62′
Post update
Foul by Stuart Findlay (Kilmarnock).
60′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Mitchell Pinnock.
58′
Post update
Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
58′
Post update
Foul by Aaron McGowan (Kilmarnock).
57′
Goal!
Goal! Celtic 1, Kilmarnock 0. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
56′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Aaron McGowan.
55′
Post update
Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
55′
Post update
Foul by Aaron McGowan (Kilmarnock).
55′
Post update
Attempt saved. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
52′
Post update
Attempt missed. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) header from very close range misses to the left. Assisted by Callum McGregor with a cross following a corner.
52′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Kirk Broadfoot.
51′
Post update
Foul by Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic).
51′
Post update
Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
50′
Post update
Attempt saved. Shane Duffy (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by David Turnbull.
49′
Post update
Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
49′
Post update
Foul by Greg Kiltie (Kilmarnock).
47′
Post update
Attempt saved. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) header from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Greg Taylor with a cross.
47′
Post update
Attempt saved. Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ismaila Soro.
46′
Post update
Foul by Ismaila Soro (Celtic).
46′
Post update
Rory McKenzie (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick on the left wing.
46′
Post update
Attempt saved. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jeremie Frimpong.
Second Half
Second Half begins Celtic 0, Kilmarnock 0.
45’+2′
Half Time
First Half ends, Celtic 0, Kilmarnock 0.
45’+2′
Post update
Attempt saved. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Odsonne Edouard.
44′
Post update
Foul by Ismaila Soro (Celtic).
44′
Post update
Nicke Kabamba (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick on the left wing.
43′
Booking
Nicke Kabamba (Kilmarnock) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
42′
Post update
Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
42′
Post update
Foul by Nicke Kabamba (Kilmarnock).
40′
Post update
Foul by Shane Duffy (Celtic).
40′
Post update
Greg Kiltie (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
36′
Booking
Alan Power (Kilmarnock) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
36′
Post update
Ismaila Soro (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
36′
Post update
Foul by Alan Power (Kilmarnock).
35′
Post update
Attempt missed. Shane Duffy (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
34′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
33′
Post update
Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
33′
Post update
Foul by Alan Power (Kilmarnock).
29′
Post update
Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
29′
Post update
Foul by Aaron McGowan (Kilmarnock).
27′
Post update
Attempt missed. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by David Turnbull.
24′
Post update
Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Greg Taylor.
21′
Post update
Foul by Ismaila Soro (Celtic).
21′
Post update
Aaron McGowan (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick on the right wing.
20′
Post update
Attempt missed. David Turnbull (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Odsonne Edouard.
16′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Stuart Findlay.
14′
Post update
Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Christopher Jullien.
12′
Post update
Attempt blocked. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
12′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Odsonne Edouard.
10′
Post update
Foul by Greg Taylor (Celtic).
10′
Post update
Alan Power (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
10′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by David Turnbull.
9′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Danny Rogers.
9′
Post update
Attempt saved. Christopher Jullien (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by David Turnbull with a cross.
8′
Post update
David Turnbull (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
8′
Post update
Foul by Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock).
7′
Post update
Foul by Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic).
7′
Post update
Greg Kiltie (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
5′
Post update
Offside, Kilmarnock. Stuart Findlay tries a through ball, but Mitchell Pinnock is caught offside.
4′
Post update
Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
4′
Post update
Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick on the right wing.
4′
Post update
Foul by David Turnbull (Celtic).
4′
Post update
Alan Power (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
3′
Post update
Shane Duffy (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
3′
Post update
Foul by Greg Kiltie (Kilmarnock).
2′
Post update
Attempt missed. Shane Duffy (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Kristoffer Ajer with a headed pass following a corner.
2′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Kirk Broadfoot.
Kick Off
First Half begins.
Posted at 15:01 13 Dec15:01 13 Dec
Post update
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
BBC
By Martin WattBBC Scotland
13 December 202013 December 2020.From the section Scottish Premiership
Highlights: Celtic 2-0 Kilmarnock
Shane Duffy admits he deserved to be dropped and “hasn’t been good enough” for Celtic as he celebrated his return to the team by scoring the clincher in victory over Kilmarnock.
A Mohamed Elyounoussi strike and Duffy header gave Celtic a first win in three Scottish Premiership games to earn boss Neil Lennon further breathing space.
Lennon’s side go second, 13 points behind Rangers with two games in hand.
“The gaffer has been brilliant with me,” said centre-back Duffy.
“I actually felt he took me out of the team at the right time because my form wasn’t good. But I know I can come back stronger.”
The on-loan Brighton defender, who sat out six games before being restored for Thursday’s Europa League win over Lille, added: “I watched the team from the sidelines and have seen what I could learn.
“The Celtic fans haven’t seen me before and since I’ve come into the club I haven’t been me. I get them, I understand the criticism. I wouldn’t be happy with myself either if I was watching me play.”
Reaction & as it happened
After two wins from 12 in a calamitous run, Celtic have now secured back-to-back victories for the first time in 10 weeks.
Kilmarnock remain eighth – four points off the bottom – after a fifth Premiership defeat in six.
Lennon’s show of faith in the fringe men who impressed against Lille meant defender Duffy, goalkeeper Conor Hazard, midfielder Ismaila Soro and forward David Turnbull all kept their places.
That victory had spared Lennon from the fans’ ire this time, with the board the focus of a pre-match protest as hundreds of supporters gathered outside Celtic Park.
Despite Turnbull’s best efforts, Celtic’s recent failings were again evident in a listless opening 45 minutes. Danny Rogers superbly tipped over a head flick from Christopher Jullien and Odsonne Edouard sent a snap-shot wide as Lennon’s side stuttered in attack.
But Kilmarnock were left powerless as the hosts cranked up the ante after the restart. Elyounoussi fired straight at Rogers before Jeremie Frimpong and Edouard forced saves following a swift counter-attack.
Duffy was next to threaten, but his free header from a set-piece followed the trend of being straight at the keeper, and Edouard somehow failed to convert Callum McGregor’s driven cross from close range.
Kilmarnock were creaking and the pressure told just before the hour when Elyounoussi’s low drive from the edge of the box diverted off sliding defender Aaron McGowan to wrong-foot Rogers.
Turnbull had a drive deflected wide before his corner helped give Celtic the comfort of a two-goal margin as Duffy’s header thudded low past Rogers.
Kilmarnock ought to have halved the deficit when a set-piece fell at the feet of Nicke Kabamba six yards out, but he could only poke into the hands of Hazard.
That was a fleeting break from Celtic pressure as substitute Ryan Christie screwed a volley off target and Duffy almost doubled his tally with a glancing header.
Man of the match – David Turnbull
David Turnbull
Another start and another assist for the Scotland Under-21 forward whose dynamism again stood out
What did we learn?
After the “baby steps” of victory over Lille, Lennon’s Celtic continued to inch in the right direction but still have plenty of convincing to do.
And a first clean sheet in nine games – while owing much to Kilmarnock’s lack of cutting edge – boosts the confidence of a Celtic defence whose deficiencies have been laid bare in recent weeks.
Kilmarnock were far too meek against a team who have been beset by crisis. The visitors failed to exert any meaningful pressure and their total of one goal in six games – five of which were defeats – sums up their problems.
What did they say?
‘Dominant’ Celtic performance pleases Lennon
Celtic manager Neil Lennon: “That was a lot better. It was a good all-round team performance. Dominant really, we looked strong.
“The last few games here we’ve been a bit anxious. There was none of that today. I’m just disappointed we didn’t win by more.”
Kilmarnock manager Alex Dyer: “We were well organised in the first half but it went the opposite way after half-time. We could have been 4-0 down after the first 10 minutes of the second half, easy.
“It’s a mental game and we were weak in the second half. We didn’t show personality or character.”
Kilmarnock showed a weak mentality – Dyer
What’s next?
Celtic bid to make history by completing the quadruple treble at Hampden next Sunday when they face Hearts in last season’s delayed Scottish Cup final (14:15 GMT).
Kilmarnock are on Premiership duty earlier in the day when they host Aberdeen (12:00).
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell addresses fan unrest over boardroom contempt, being ‘asleep at the wheel’ and Lennon blindspot at club AGM
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has rebuffed claims from disgruntled fans that the club’s board have shown “comtempt” for them during this time of strife in a wide-ranging interview screened at the club’s virtually held AGM.
By Andrew Smith
Monday, 14th December 2020, 2:12 pm
Acknowledging the “frustrations” of a support now demanding boardroom change above a change of football manager, Lawwell also made a stirring defence of Neil Lennon in the Celtic TV produced video. Stating that the Irishman was “the right man for the job in February 19…and is the right man for it now”, the club chief executive also rejected out of hand accusations the board have been “asleep at the wheel” over the fact Rangers have been able to establish a 13-point lead in a league campaign consuming all at the club as a consequence of the record 10-in-a-row bid.
Lawwell pointed to a £35m outlay on players over a 14-month spell that is beyond any previous such level of investment by the club as he acknowledged the team’s position in the Premiership is “difficult” even they would not give up on achieving their “ambitions”.
Celtic: Get the latest team news, match previews and reports
Questioned about the unrest that has brought protests for three successful Sundays outside Celtic Park, he said: “I can fully understand it. We are all Celtc supporters here too. I can understand the frustration, I can understand the disappointment in such a big year we’ve had such a difficult run in the last eight weeks. And that is what it is, eight weeks.
“I can see that, I’m a Celtic supporter myself. Born a Celtic supporter, I will die a Celtic supporter. My family are all Celtic supporters, so I get it and we understand it. What we are seeing in today’s world, and the social media world, that the board are holding the fans in contempt, they [the board] are suggesting they [fans] are entitled…it can get a wee bit over the top, I must say. “But what I can say is the support we’ve had over the summer, the supporters’ commitment to this club has been inspiring, nothing short of remarkable. And we thank them hugely for that [in a] hugely challenging time for everybody, hugely challenging time for people at home.
“As always, our duty and responsibility is to do the right thing for Celtic. We have no other agenda, no other purpose or motive, other than to make the right decisions for this great club that will take us forward. We haven’t given up [on the league] in this big year. There are circumstances that have put us in this position. And we will go and do everything we can to get the league this year.”
Lawwell appeared particularly irked by the oft-stated claim that the board’s complacency has allowed Rangers to appear in position to knock them off their perch in Scottish football.
“That’s not the case [that we’ve been asleep at the wheel”, he said. “If you go back to last May, we were crowned SPFL champions for the ninth time in a row. We have won the treble treble and could win the quadruple treble. Incredible domestic success. Despite that, in the summer, we strengthened the squad knowing there was going to be a challenge this year to a level that wehavent done before and come out of the window with a very strong squad and we had spent as a club, over the previous 14 months – from July 2019 to that point [October 2020], £35m. We have never spent anything like that in the past.
“We have strengthened, and we have kept all our big players. That’s not complacency. And I believe we saw that coming, and prepared for that. We prepared by having reserves in the club, some of which were affected by the pandemic, but those reserves were invested in to the team to make us stronger. We had a manager that delivers on a track record, and in addition we continually invest more and more into our football functions: our sports science, analysis, performance, recruitment. All to take the club forward. In no way were we sitting back, being complacent, waiting for things to happen.”
A similarly robust response was given by Lawwell over the continued backing for Lennon, which did not waver as the club crumbled in the Europa League, lost at home to Ross County in the league cup and endured a series of slips-ups in the league that have made Rangers firm favourites to be crowned champions.
“I do [see Neil Lennon is the right man to lead Celtic],” he said. “Neil’s credentials as a Celtic man are there for everybody to see. His credentials as a football manager are there for everybody to see. He came back in February ‘19 and probably had everything to lose and nothing much to win. But he came in, won us the league, won us the Scottish Cup, the treble treble. He then took on the team again, he won the League Cup, beating Rangers in the final, and we won the group section in the Europa League. We then got our nine-in-a-row title and now he’s got us inthe Scottish Cup final that hopefully will be the unprecedented quadruple treble.
“He was the man in February ‘19, he was the man for it last summer and we believe he is the man for it now. He has the players, and the trust and confidence of the players, and the trust and confidence of his backroom team and we believe, at this particular time, that he is the best man to try and recover this deficit in the league and get us on to 10-in-a-row.”
…