Match Pictures | Matches: 2023 – 2024
Trivia
- KO: 12:00, Sunday; Sky Sports TV, League match 17
- Celtic now 5pts in front of Sevco, but Sevco have a game in hand. So Celtic have squandered a good comfortable lead in the league, and it doesn’t seem at present this drop in form will be halted anytime soon.
- Incredibly, Rodgers has now lost four times at Rugby Park!
- Reports: Celtic coach Harry Kewell approached by Yokohama F. Marinos to take over as manager.
- Celtic women’s team: manager Fran Alonso could be set to exit amid budget concerns.
- Richard Gordon, a BBC Sportsound presenter: Scottish referees are biased towards Sevco : https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/aberdeen-fc/6277215/richard-gordon-rangers-remarkable-penalty-record/
- Since the start of season 2021-22, there have been as many UK Prime Ministers (3) as there has been penalties given against Sevco in the Scottish Premiership.
- It’s now 71 league games since Sevco last conceded a penalty – Lewis Ferguson at Pittodrie on 18 January 2022. In those 71 league matches they’ve been awarded 23 penalties. The last league penalty they conceded at home at Ibrox was 14 September 2019- more than 4 years ago!
Summary
Brendan Rodgers:
“1st half was good. First 25 mins in particular. 2nd half we never got started. We never made passes. Played the game they wanted to play. Really disappointing second half”.
“Give credit to them. they pressed the game more the second half. We didn’t defend wide areas good enough. We didn’t deserve anything based upon 2nd half performance”.
Joebloggscity of TheCelticWiki:
Shambles, disaster, a game of two halves. Last weekend we got away with a bad performance, this time Celtic got beaten, and the Kilmarnock deserved their win in the torrential rain. No Celtic player seemd to turn up today. Loanee Nat Phillips in particular was dreadful, and how his parent club (Liverpool) can value him at 7-8m is bizarre. Scored an own goal, was poor in positioning, slow as hell, lost the ball easily and was woeful. He is not an adequate footballer for any aspiring side.
Torquemeda of KDS:
That was as bad a performance from Rodgers as from the team. His subs were abysmal – probably for the first time. How Nat Phillips stayed on that park for 100 minutes astounded me. How utterly terrible must Lagerbielke and Nawrocki be to be sitting there watching that second-half disgrace. How Rodgers could then not upgrade the midfield was just as bad.
I know we have injuries but we replaced two ineffectual wingers with another two, when we should have been bolstering the midfield. I texted my sons with half an hour to go saying we were going to blow this. If I could see it, why not the management team? That was our worst day at the office since Covid.
“I am bored talking about it, to be honest. It bores the life out of me talking about plastic pitches,” he said. “If you don’t know by now that every manager would rather not have them, then you never will. You have to play on it, so there’s no point moaning or crying about it. We weren’t good enough the last time, but hopefully we can be this time.”
Rodgers on plastic pitches
E-Tims @ETimsNet
FT Killie 2 #Celtic 1
The better team by a DISTANCE won. Second half was like men against boys as they completely bullied us. So many players unwilling to compete or just dreadful and not good enough to be at the club.So have we now painted ourselves into the likely position where they come to Celtic Park knowing a win takes them top.. Brendan “1st half was good. First 25 mins in particular. 2nd half we never got started. We never made passes. Played the game they wanted to play. Really disappointing second half”. Brendan “Give credit to them. they pressed the game more the second half. We didn’t defend wide areas good enough. We didn’t deserve anything based upon 2nd half performance”.
*** Loud thumping music coming from Killie dressing room during interview. Fair doos. They deserved it.
Stevie Jackson @bobby__peru Is it ok to criticise Brendan Rodgers now without being (incorrectly) told it’s because you didn’t want him back in the first place? Absolutely clueless, directionless garbage. Squad management terrible and no clear tactics or strategy. Appalling.
Everything Celtic @aboutceltic I’ve really tried not to tweet this, I don’t want to be negative but it’s time to be honest. The football we’re playing under Rodgers is dreadful, I’ve not idea what style we’re trying to implement. Too many matches this season have been an utterly painful watch. The players hold their share of the blame too, they’re not exempt.
Inside The SPFL @AgentScotland I wouldn’t say Celtic were lucky to go in 1-0 at HT but it was clear they were in a game, after the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half a Kilmarnock goal looked ominous, how Brendan Rodgers didn’t see that and at least attempt a tactical change is mystifying, he did nothing at all. Inside The SPFL @AgentScotland · 6h Men against boys in Ayrshire, Kilmarnock absolutely dominated Celtic in that 2nd half, as convincing for Killie as it should be embarrassing for Celtic, a heartless, gutless, pathetic performance from a squad who think they’re far better than they could ever dream of being.
Teams
Celtic
Formation 4-3-3
- 1 Hart
- 2 Johnston Booked at 83mins
- 6 Phillips
- 5 Scales
- 3 Taylor
- 33 O’Riley
- 24 Iwata Substituted for Furuhashi at 76′minutes
- 42 McGregor
- 90 Johnston Substituted for Yang at 70′minutes
- 19 Oh
- 07 Palma Substituted for Forrest at 84′minutes
Substitutes
- 8Furuhashi
- 13Yang
- 14Turnbull
- 17Nawrocki
- 25Bernabéi
- 28Gonçalves Bernardo
- 29Bain
- 49Forrest
- 56Ralston
Goals:
- O’Riley (33′ minutes)
Assists:
Kilmarnock
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Dennis
- 5Mayo
- 6DeasBooked at 69mins
- 17Findlay
- 3Ndaba
- 22Donnelly Substituted forWatkinsat 66′minutes
- 8LyonsBooked at 41mins
- 11ArmstrongBooked at 79mins Substituted for Mackay-Steven at 90+11′minutes
- 31Polworth
- 10Kennedy Substituted forMurrayat 90+11′minutes
- 9Vassell Substituted forMcKenzieat 90+4′minutes
Substitutes
- 7McKenzie
- 14Sanders
- 15Murray
- 19Davies
- 20O’Hara
- 21Dallas
- 23Watkins
- 25Warnock
- 39Mackay-Steven
Goals:
- Phillips (75′ minutes og),
- Kennedy (87′ minutes)
Assists:
- Armstrong (87′ minutes)
Ref:David Munro
Att:
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
- Possession
- Home32%
- Away68%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away16
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away7
- Corners
- Home5
- Away9
- Fouls
- Home14
- Away12
Articles
Kilmarnock 2 Celtic 1 as late winner puts dent in Hoops title charge – 3 things we learned
https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/sport/kilmarnock-2-celtic-1-late-28264036
ByWill LancasterFreelance Sports Reporter
14:01, 10 DEC 2023
It was more anguish for Celtic at Rugby Park on a sodden winter afternoon at Kilmarnock as Derek McInnes’ side came from behind to stun the Hoops 2-1 for the second time this season.
Narratives were already aloof with Killie having denied Brendan Rodgers the chance of yet another treble with a 1-0 Viaplay Cup win back in August, and the Northern Irishman returned to Ayrshire with his chance for revenge in a bid to maintain their eight-point lead at the top of the table. It started for him in the correct manner; Matt O’Riley continued his goalscoring spree with a fine finish in front of the away end to somewhat alleviate fears of a comeback in the west.
But Killie came flying out of the blocks in the second half, and when a cross was diverted into his own net by Nat Phillips, Rugby Park sensed an upset once again with Celtic continuing to toil in the league. But their best hopes weren’t realised until just before stoppage time; some hesitant Celtic defending allowed Matty Kennedy to break through, and his shot skidded under Joe Hart to send McInnes delirious for a huge win.
It’s more anguish for Celtic, and now Rangers can go to within two points of them if they win their game in hand to really ignite the title race. Glasgow Live takes a look at three major talking points on a wet and windy Sunday afternoon.
gers details Harry Kewell Celtic talks as he admits ‘names and interests’ in striker hunt
Officers are asking for anyone who recognises the man to get in touch and assist with their enquires.
CCTV images released of man wanted in connection with Glasgow assault
Johnston chance not taken
Brendan Rodgers had urged Mikey Johnston to take advantage of his recent run of minutes in the Celtic squad if he was to cement his place in the first-team over the remainder of the season – with the winger admitting that his boss was right.
But it just didn’t stick for the mazy dribbler in Ayrshire. Initially looking lively against Derek McInnes’s outfit, the home side were there for the taking but you couldn’t help but feel Celtic weren’t taking full advantage of the opportunity.
Johnston was a key component of that. He just didn’t quite grab the game by the scruff of the neck and you feel that with James Forrest and Daizen Maeda waiting in the wings to reclaim that spot, time is running out for the youth academy product.
He was hooked just after the hour – perhaps his only saving grace will be the goal Celtic conceded after his departure.
Oh…no
A huge chance for Oh also today, as he was selected ahead of Kyogo to lead the line in Kilmarnock.
But the Korean just didn’t produce the goods in the first half. Two huge chances came his way that went begging, and you can’t help but feel that Kyogo would’ve tucked at least one of those chances away.
He’s been in hot form when coming off the bench, much like Giorgos Giakoumakis had been when he played second fiddle to the Japanese talisman before departing for Atlanta United last January after some solid outings in the top-flight and the Champions League.
And whilst Oh has proven himself to be a nuisance from the bench, he’s still to prove himself when starting – and today did nothing to change that narrative.
Poor Phillips
Celtic have had injury crises at centre-half, so a bit of slack should be cut for Brendan Rodgers with Cameron Carter-Vickers out of action and Carl Starfelt being sold on in the summer.
Kilmarnock 2-1 Celtic: Killie produce second-half comeback win to end Scottish Premiership leaders’ unbeaten start
https://www.skysports.com/football/kilmarnock-vs-celtic/report/487688
Report as Celtic suffer their first league defeat of season after Kilmarnock produce stunning comeback; Scottish Premiership leaders now five points ahead of Rangers; Matty Kennedy’s winner and own goal from Nat Phillips gave Killie victory after Matt O’Riley had opened scoring
Sunday 10 December 2023 17:06, UK
Matty Kennedy celebrates after scoring a late goal to give Kilmarnock a 2-1 lead against Celtic
Image: Matty Kennedy celebrates after scoring a late goal to give Kilmarnock a 2-1 win over Celtic
Kilmarnock produced a stunning second-half comeback to inflict a first league defeat of the season on Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic with a 2-1 home win.
Matty Kennedy scored an 88th-minute winner at a wet Rugby Park to shock Brendan Rodgers’ side and leave them just five points ahead of Rangers, who have a game in hand.
Celtic looked on course to restore their eight-point lead at the top after Matt O’Riley scored a 33rd-minute opener, which came just 59 seconds after Kilmarnock had hit the post.
Kilmarnock equalise against Celtic after an own goal by Nat Phillips
But Derek McInnes’ side staged an incredible second-half response which saw Killie equalise in the 75th minute when Celtic defender Nat Phillips turned into his own net.
Then the turnaround was complete 13 minutes later as Kennedy coolly slotted past Joe Hart to end Celtic’s unbeaten start to the season in a second-half performance that ex-Celtic striker Chris Sutton labelled an “embarrassment”.
Sutton: Celtic were an embarrassment
Ex-Celtic striker Chris Sutton told Sky Sports: “They’ve [Celtic] been an embarrassment in this second half Celtic, there’s no getting away from that.
“They dominated the opening stages of the game but Kilmarnock have been far more aggressive.
“It looks like they’ve wanted it more, there’s ways to lose games and this isn’t one of them.”
Killie, who earned their first league win over Celtic since September 2018 and their second victory over the Hoops this season, move up to fifth.
But his side looked to have shrugged off that loss as they started dominantly with Killie goalkeeper Will Dennis making a string of saves and Celtic creating plenty of chances.
Hyeon-Gyu Oh volleyed over and the South Korea forward somehow missed Mikey Johnston’s low cross before Luis Palma hit the post from a tight angle.
Boyd: A bad day for Celtic
Ex-Rangers striker Kris Boyd told Sky Sports: “Kilmarnock deserve a lot of credit here today, but for Celtic – Brendan Rodgers was very, very critical of his team’s performance in the first half last week – that second half was arguably worse than what it was in Perth last week.
“Outfought, outworked, there was no dancing in front of the Chadwick Stand today either at the end.
“It was a bad day for Celtic.”
The visitors were nearly punished for their misses with Killie hitting the woodwork as Daniel Armstrong crashed a first-time side-footed volley off the post from six yards.
But just a minute later, Celtic went ahead through O’Riley as he pounced on Callum McGregor’s saved shot to convert the rebound.
Matt O'Riley celebrates after giving Celtic a first-half lead at Kilmarnock
Image: Matt O’Riley scored his ninth league goal of the season for Celtic
Kilmarnock, though, remained a threat and Celtic needed a superb Alistair Johnston block on the line to deny Corrie Ndaba’s follow-up from a Joe Hart save to deny him a certain goal.
The home side were then the ones to dominate in the second half as they pressured Celtic intensely with Hart denying Ndaba and Robbie Deas heading just wide from a corner.
O’Riley nearly scored his second against the run of play as he fired wide on a counter-attack before Kilmarnock were finally rewarded for their play when Phillips turned Brad Lyons’ cross into his own net in the 75th minute.
Sensing a shock, Killie pushed for the victory and were right to as Armstrong slipped Kennedy through into the box for him to slide under Hart.
Matty Kennedy celebrates after scoring a late goal to give Kilmarnock a 2-1 lead against Celtic
Celtic brought on Kyogo Furuhashi and Dennis pulled off a good save to deny the striker to earn the home side a deserved victory over the reigning champions.
Rodgers: A really disappointing second-half
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers told Sky Sports:
“I thought the first-half performance was very good and we started the game really well and then scored a really good goal, created more chances. I thought we were good value for our lead.
“Second half we never got started. I think we played more the game they wanted to play than the game we wanted to. We never made passes and we got rid of the ball instead of passing it, and from that we failed to look after the ball and obviously when you do that, and you’re giving them opportunities to break through, then of course we suffered for that. So a really disappointing second-half.”
Asked why they endured a poor second half, Rodgers responded: “I think they pressed the game probably a bit more in the second half, but we have to be resistant to that and instead of playing sideways or backwards, you have to, in order to beat pressure, you want to play forward and we didn’t do that enough. So that meant that we got stuck in the game where we couldn’t progress through.
“We didn’t create anywhere near enough in the second half and weren’t decisive enough with our passing and that ended up costing us.
“It’s one where we expect the second half to be what it was, especially the first 10-15 minutes where they’re going to come after us but we have to deal with that better.
“We have to have a greater take on the ball and look to connect the game because that’s the game that we want to play and if we don’t do that then we’re not as effective.
“It’s a disappointment. It’s the first defeat that we’ve had in the league so it will hurt, but ultimately, we probably didn’t deserve anything because of the second-half performance.”
McInnes: We were terrific in second half
KILMARNOCK, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 10: Kilmarnock Manager Derek McInnes celebrates with Daniel Armstrong and Corrie Ndaba during a cinch Premiership match between Kilmarnock and Celtic at Rugby Park, on December 10, 2023, in Kilmarnock, Scotland. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)
Image: Derek McInnes was delighted with the win
Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes told Sky Sports:
“Absolutely delighted for everyone here. The players were terrific in the second half.
“We had some good opportunities in the first half, but we were too passive and second best. We let Celtic enjoy the game. We needed to come forward when we were taking a step back and it was that hesitancy that was costing us and we were lucky to only go in 1-0 down.
“I just thought our press was wrong and we needed to remind the players at half-time exactly the type of team we need to be, particularly here at Rugby Park and particularly against a team like Celtic.
“Those reminders were met really and I thought we were terrific. I thought we rattled them, I thought we unsettled them.
“It was a game of two halves, to be honest.”
You could just sniff it’: Derek McInnes makes Celtic claim after guiding Kilmarnock to stunning win
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/you-could-just-sniff-it-derek-mcinnes-makes-celtic-claim-after-guiding-kilmarnock-to-stunning-win-4440497
The Killie boss was delighted with his team’s second-half response against the champions
Andrew Smith
By Andrew Smith
Published 10th Dec 2023, 15:29 GMT
Updated 10th Dec 2023, 15:30 GMT
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes admitted he felt Celtic were there for the taking in their 2-1 Premiership victory at Rugby Parkas soon as his side had fought back to level terms.
The win was the product of piling pressure on the Scottish champions across the second period as is rarely witnessed on the domestic scene. Kilmarnock earned a deserved reward with a 87th-minute counter-attacking winner that brought a first goal in their colours from Matty Kennedy after a Nat Phillips own goal in the 75th minute that had cancelled out a Matt O’Riley opener just after the half-hour mark.
“I thought we passed up too many opportunities before we did score [but] thankfully when we did get the goal you could just sniff the victory, you could feel it,” said McInnes. “More importantly, my players felt it and thankfully we got the second goal that I felt we deserved. It was a game of two halves, but I thought we were the better, more dominant, team in that second half.
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes celebrates with his players after beating Celtic 2-1 at Rugby Park.
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes celebrates with his players after beating Celtic 2-1 at Rugby Park.
“Half time came at a good time. My job is to help my players win a game, whatever way we do that. The players needed reminding of what we had to be. And if half time didn’t come when it did… I know we had two brilliant chances to score, but the truth of it is that Celtic’s possession would have been through the roof in the first half. Whenever that’s the case you are never going to enjoy the game. The second half was a reverse and it’s a big ask to do that for 90 minutes. We had big performances then. It was everything I wanted from my team.
“Celtic are a brilliant side, with some brilliant individuals and it was a complete reverse. All of a sudden they were not enjoying the second half [as they had the first in dictating play] and that’s the way it had to be. Whether any team can be the team we were second half for [a full] 90 minutes is probably unrealistic but thankfully we gave ourselves an opportunity to win it and I thought we thoroughly deserved it. And I am delighted for my players, because we do ask a lot of them and sometimes they need that reminder that they are better than they are. It’s been a good few days winning at Aberdeen midweek and then beating Celtic.”
Nat Phillips’ Celtic display judged by Brendan Rodgers as team comes under microscope – ‘we weren’t able, for some reason, to do that’
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/nat-phillips-celtic-display-judged-by-brendan-rodgers-as-team-comes-under-microscope-we-werent-able-for-some-reason-to-do-that-4440511
The Liverpool loanee scored an own goal and his second-half display reflected grim day for his team
Andrew Smith
By Andrew Smith
Published 10th Dec 2023, 15:53 GMT
Updated 10th Dec 2023, 15:54 GMT
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers conceded the second-half performance from centre-back Nat Phillips in their 2-1 Premiership loss at Kilmarnock was symptomatic of the downturn in his team’s fortunes as they relinquished a one-goal advantage.
The spotlight will fall on the contribution of the Liverpool loanee to the club’s first league defeat of the season – deputising for a Cameron Carter-Vickers not risked on the Rugby Park plastic pitch – after he poked a Brad Lyons cross into his own net for a 75th-minute equaliser in a period when errors crept in as the home side went for the jugular. “I think Nat played like the team,” the Celtic manager said when asked to assess the showing of the defender. “In the first half he was dominant in the air and he was physically strong. The two centre-halves were good together and dealt with the aerial threat. It was fine. We just went a little bit negative in the second half and ended up conceding the two goals and he was unfortunate with the own goal.”
Rodgers refused to cite conditions as a factor in his team’s shortcomings, even as the result means he has now lost four of his past five games on the Ayrshire plastic across his two spells as Celtic manager. “I thought the pitch was all right for an astroturf surface,” he said. “When you get rain, it makes it slick, and it was actually good but in the British game you have to have that adaptability but it wasn’t as if it was the whole performance, but it was a big disappointment because we didn’t see that in the first half.
Celtic’s Nat Phillips looks on after losing 2-1 to Kilmarnock.
Celtic’s Nat Phillips looks on after losing 2-1 to Kilmarnock.
“I thought in the first-half we were very good. We played at a good speed and created opportunities. We could maybe have been more than 1-0 up by half-time. But in the second-half we never got started. You expect a wee bit of pressure for ten or 15 minutes, which we weathered at set pieces and corners. But we never passed the ball. We were under a bit more pressure, sure, but you have to be resistant to that pressure. We weren’t able to make passes to take us up the pitch and that was the biggest disappointment of the second-half. We couldn’t sustain any attacking threat. We had one chance when Matt O’Riley ran through but little simple things we were winning in the first-half, we weren’t in the second half.
“When you play Kilmarnock it’s quite a direct game so you have to be able to win the first, second and third balls. But we didn’t do that. At the moment it’s just about finding that consistency for the 90 minutes. We had 45 minutes away at St Johnstone when we weren’t so good, and in the second-half we were much better. We had a good game during the week [with the 4-1 win over Hibs]. Now today we continued with that in the first-half – but you have to be much better than we were in the second-half.
“The players know themselves. We spoke after the game about this isn’t how we want to do. In the second-half we played their game instead of playing our game. I thought we got rid of the ball in the second-half instead of passing it. And there is a big difference. When we showed our level in the first-half we were very good.
“It was how we wanted the game to look in the first-half. But in key moments and decisive moments we didn’t defend well enough [in the second]. Corners and set pieces, in the main we dealt with them. But there were other moments where we had to be stronger defensively. But our biggest issue in the second half was that we never made passes. And we ended up being too negative in our passing. If you play a team that’s pressing and right up against you there you’ve got to pass the ball forward. Because that forward pass eliminates pressure. And we weren’t able, for some reason, to do that.”
‘Silence is a death sentence’ – Celtic’s Brendan Rodgers ready for tough talks with unused players as cull looms
Manager admits squad is not where it was first time around
Andrew Smith
By Andrew Smith
Published 9th Dec 2023, 22:30 GMT
Updated 10th Dec 2023, 09:12 GMT
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/silence-is-a-death-sentence-celtics-brendan-rodgers-ready-for-tough-talks-with-unused-players-as-cull-looms-4439950
Crucial to the Celtic cause going forward will not just be the players Brendan Rodgers deploys for the confrontations with Kilmarnock and Feyenoord in the coming days.
Just as important are the difficult discussions he has been having with the personnel who have no prospect of featuring at Rugby Park on Sunday lunchtime or in Wednesday’s closer to a frustrating and failed Champions League campaign. Across his five-and-a-half months, Rodgers has become increasingly unambiguous over the complexion of his squad being far removed from how he feels it requires to be. The 31-man pool is both too big and too thin on the calibre of player he feels is required to move performances up to the required level, especially to be able to pouch results in the Champions League. Indeed, the other day he was made the arresting admission that such a standard has not been reached across the first four months of his second spell.
“I believe we will be better [come the next European campaign]. I will have been in here a year and we will have assessed lots of the players and some of the young guys who come in,” Rodgers said. “By the time next summer comes there will be a clearer picture in terms of where we are at as a squad. But in the meantime it’s about working with the guys who are here. Domestically, in the main, they have been consistently good. They have had the odd disappointment in terms of performance which is only natural. But we are still winning without, for me, feeling like we are near where I want us to be.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has said he will always be honest with players not part of his plans – with a raft of these likely to be moved out of the club in January.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has said he will always be honest with players not part of his plans – with a raft of these likely to be moved out of the club in January.
This is a result of the squad being nowhere near where it wants to be, with so many of the well-remunerated members of those within it nowhere near being considered for regular starts. Or, in the cases of such as Benjamin Siegrist, Yuki Kobayashi, Alexandro Bernabei, Maik Nawrocki, Gustaf Lagerbielke and Stephen Welsh, even regular appearances in the matchday squad. With clear clues if you care to look for them that he is on the hunt for a new keeper, left-back, holding midfielder and striker – for starters – in the January transfer window, the need for the squad’s invisible members to be moved out – either on loan or permanently – is obvious. Defender Nat Phillips will return to Liverpool following his six month emergency loan and David Turnbull could be moved on, with the playmaker appearing to have fallen out of favour as he runs down the final six months of his contract. The Celtic manager concedes it is not easy to inform players that they are surplus to requirements but it is necessary, and an aspect of his job from which he does not shirk in order to be respectful, and scrupulously fair.
“It is something that is difficult but it’s part of this job as a manager,” the Irishman said. “You have to do it. But you are better being honest and telling people. It’s especially difficult because you know when you are telling someone it changes the conditions in their life … and not necessarily for the better. They might never have that opportunity again but I would rather say it than be inhumane and bluff someone for six months. You are better telling them as they will have families and, having moved all over Britain, I know how hard and challenging it is.
“Sometimes it can be for the greater good for the player as the family might not have settled or the schools might not be right. To tell them can actually help them. But it’s something that is a difficult conversation but you are better being honest. I care for players but I care for people more. Sentiment doesn’t come into it. You are paid to make decisions, lead and observe – and make decisions from that observation. You can’t be sentimental. These conversations happen throughout the season. Some players wanted to move in the summer and I said: ‘Let’s give it a chance. Let’s see how they enjoy the work and get the game-time. This is where I think you can improve, so let’s assess it. Coming into January, if you feel it’s not right and you want to go, we can look at it then’.
“It’s an ongoing conversation as silence for a player is a death sentence. I have had experiences outside of football where you mind plays mental gymnastics and you think, ‘what’s happening?’ When you hear nothing, the brain starts talking. I’d rather take all the away and give stability and clarity to a player. I’d say, ‘this is where we are at, if it doesn’t work out you can move on’. But I will always respect them. That is a value I hold dearest of all. Wherever you sit in the hierarchy, you will always be offered respect. Train hard and work hard, and let’s see where it takes us.”
Nat Phillips is due to return to Liverpool next month.
Nat Phillips is due to return to Liverpool next month.
As vital as Kilmarnock is for where Celtic want to head in the Premiership title trail, the hosting of Feyenoord – even as superficially a dead rubber – is huge to the club’s self worth. Aside from the £2.3million on offer for a win, failure to end a truly desperate run of 15 games without a victory in club football’s most prestigious tournament, and not improve on their all-time low return of two points a year ago, does not bear thinking about. “Every game is vital from a football perspective,” said Rodgers. “Every point is a financial gain for the club and pride is also there to play for. We have shown a lot in spells – whether it was Feyenoord away for a half or Atletico Madrid for the full game here. Okay we lost to Lazio, but again there were periods in there. Away at Atletico we started with authority and then we conceded. Away to Lazio we were in it right up until the last ten minutes. So we have been competitive, but you want to be more than that.”
BBC
By Clive LindsayBBC Sport Scotland
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67603857
Last updated on
6 hours ago6 hours ago.From the section Scottish Premiership
Kilmarnock’s Matty Kennedy scores
Matty Kennedy scored the winner for Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock came from a goal behind to secure a second home win in a row over Celtic as Matty Kennedy’s late strike handed the visitors their first Scottish Premiership defeat of the season.
Derek McInnes’ side knocked the Glasgow side out of the Viaplay Cup 1-0 in August and this time inflicted Brendan Rodgers’ first league defeat since his return as manager.
It means Celtic’s lead over Rangers, who beat Dundee 3-1 on Saturday, remains five points having played a game more than their city rivals.
Kilmarnock fell behind when Matt O’Riley’s first-half close-range finish rewarded the visitors’ vibrant start.
But Kilmarnock came roaring back after the break and levelled when Celtic centre-half Nat Phillips knocked a Brad Lyons cross past goalkeeper Joe Hart.
An action-packed encounter reached a climax on a slick, rain-soaked artificial surface when Danny Armstrong set up Kennedy to clip home the winner and send his side up to fifth in the table.
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Celtic laid siege on the home defence from kick-off as they showed the intensity missing in some recent performances.
Goalkeeper Will Dennis was forced into front-post saves to deny O’Riley and Oh Hyeon-gyu and also diverted clear a low Callum McGregor cross heading for Mikey Johnston.
Oh was in the thick of it as he looked to justify his selection again ahead of Kyogo Furuhashi.
The South Korea striker had a cross beaten away by Dennis, lashed a good chance over then just failed to get a touch on a low Johnston ball across the face of goal before Luis Palma followed up to fire against the far post.
Kilmarnock weathered the storm and looked to have stolen the lead when Kennedy’s cross found fellow winger Armstrong only for the back-post half-volley to bounce clear off the far upright.
Celtic waltzed up the other end and broke the deadlock. McGregor teased on the edge of the penalty box and, when Dennis could only push the ball into the path of O’Riley, the midfielder provided the clinical finish for his ninth goal of the season.
Kilmarnock were still in the game and, when Armstrong’s low cross-come-shot came off Hart’s fingers, Corrie Ndaba thought he had equalised only for the defender’s effort to strike the back of Alistair Johnston as the unwitting Celtic right-back stumbled to the ground.
That encouraged the hosts to be more aggressive after the break and Stuart Findlay and Robbie Deas both headed wide, while fellow defender Ndaba was denied by Hart.
O’Riley fired a low drive wide of the far post, but it Kilmarnock who were now in control.
Substitute Lyons’ cross was knocked in to his own net by Phillips, who had been handed a start in place of the injured Cameron Carter-Phillips, and Kennedy and Armstrong combined for what turned out to be the winner.
Kyogo came on to force Dennis into a late save, but it would be Kilmarnock’s day – and deservedly so.
Player of the match – Matty Kennedy (Kilmarnock)
Kilmarnock’s Matty Kennedy and Danny Armstrong celebrate
Matty Kennedy just about shaded it from Danny Armstrong for his winning goal after they both troubled Celtic down the flanks
Pressure mounts on Celtic; Killie now contenders – analysis
Rodgers says he was as angry as he has ever been in a half-time dressing-room last weekend before his side came from behind to defeat St Johnstone.
For the second game in a row, they only performed to the standards the Northern Irishman expects for 45 minutes, and he was left to lament the lack of consistency that is bedevilling the reigning champions currently.
With Rangers picking up more points than any team since Philippe Clement became manager at Ibrox, Rodgers will know he is now in a real title race as the traditional New Year derby looms.
Defeat at Rugby Park will no doubt have him doubling down on his desire to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window.
It was McInnes’ turn to weave the magic half-time wand, although he will also be pleased with Kilmarnock’s resilience during a first half when they were under the cosh.
His decision to start Kennedy in place of League Cup winner Marley Watkins then bringing on the striker and Lyons as Celtic tired proved to be masterstrokes.
Kilmarnock have now beaten Celtic twice and Rangers once this season, are now only two points behind third-top St Mirren, and must surely consider themselves contenders for European qualification.
What they said
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: “First half, there was loads of frustration. We never quite got the press right, we spoke about not wanting to allow Celtic to win the game and we reminded the players about that at half-time.
“The players were magnificent in the second half. We ask a lot of them. We had to get up against them more, show our teeth and be braver. You have to do a hell of a lot right to beat Celtic and we did do that.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “The performance first half was very good. We scored a very good goal, could have scored a few more. Second half, we never got started.
“Instead of playing our game, we played the game Kilmarnock wanted us to play. You have to be press-resistant, you have to be able to deal with that pressure if a team is coming on to you or pressing you. You have to be able to manipulate the ball and combine and figure that out. That was the biggest disappointment.”
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Match ends, Kilmarnock 2, Celtic 1.
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Kilmarnock 2, Celtic 1.
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Substitution
Substitution, Kilmarnock. Gary Mackay-Steven replaces Daniel Armstrong.
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Substitution
Substitution, Kilmarnock. Fraser Murray replaces Matthew Kennedy.
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Post update
Foul by Greg Taylor (Celtic).
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Post update
Daniel Armstrong (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Rory McKenzie (Kilmarnock).
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Post update
Liam Scales (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock).
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Substitution
Substitution, Kilmarnock. Rory McKenzie replaces Kyle Vassell.
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Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Yang Hyun-Jun (Celtic).
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Post update
Offside, Celtic. Oh Hyeon-Gyu is caught offside.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Will Dennis.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by James Forrest with a through ball.
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Goal!
Goal! Kilmarnock 2, Celtic 1. Matthew Kennedy (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Daniel Armstrong following a fast break.
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Post update
Foul by Nathaniel Phillips (Celtic).
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Post update
Marley Watkins (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Post update
Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Kyogo Furuhashi.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. James Forrest replaces Luis Palma.
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Booking
Alistair Johnston (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Foul by Alistair Johnston (Celtic).
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Post update
Matthew Kennedy (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Marley Watkins (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top right corner.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Stuart Findlay (Kilmarnock) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner.
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Post update
Foul by Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic).
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Post update
Liam Polworth (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Booking
Daniel Armstrong (Kilmarnock) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Daniel Armstrong (Kilmarnock).
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Post update
Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Daniel Armstrong (Kilmarnock).
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Post update
Offside, Celtic. Luis Palma is caught offside.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Kyogo Furuhashi replaces Tomoki Iwata.
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Goal!
Own Goal by Nathaniel Phillips, Celtic. Kilmarnock 1, Celtic 1.
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Post update
Foul by Nathaniel Phillips (Celtic).
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Post update
Kyle Vassell (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Luis Palma (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Yang Hyun-Jun (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt O’Riley.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Yang Hyun-Jun replaces Mikey Johnston.
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Booking
Robbie Deas (Kilmarnock) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Foul by Robbie Deas (Kilmarnock).
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Post update
Attempt missed. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Oh Hyeon-Gyu following a fast break.
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Post update
Offside, Kilmarnock. Marley Watkins is caught offside.
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Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Substitution
Substitution, Kilmarnock. Marley Watkins replaces Liam Donnelly because of an injury.
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Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Liam Donnelly (Kilmarnock).
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Post update
Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Robbie Deas (Kilmarnock).
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Post update
Foul by Mikey Johnston (Celtic).
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Post update
Daniel Armstrong (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Stuart Findlay.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Stuart Findlay.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Nathaniel Phillips (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Luis Palma with a cross following a set piece situation.
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Post update
Luis Palma (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Post update
Foul by Liam Donnelly (Kilmarnock).
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Post update
Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Liam Polworth (Kilmarnock).
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Post update
Foul by Greg Taylor (Celtic).
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Post update
Daniel Armstrong (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Daniel Armstrong (Kilmarnock) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
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Post update
Foul by Tomoki Iwata (Celtic).
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Post update
Liam Polworth (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Robbie Deas (Kilmarnock) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Daniel Armstrong with a cross following a corner.
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Post update
Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Mikey Johnston.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Daniel Armstrong with a cross.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Daniel Armstrong (Kilmarnock) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Stuart Findlay.
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Post update
Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Joe Hart.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Corrie Ndaba (Kilmarnock) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Daniel Armstrong with a cross.
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Post update
Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Liam Scales.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Stuart Findlay (Kilmarnock) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Liam Polworth with a cross.
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Post update
Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Alistair Johnston.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock) header from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Post update
Foul by Tomoki Iwata (Celtic).
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Post update
Matthew Kennedy (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Second Half
Second Half begins Kilmarnock 0, Celtic 1.
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Half Time
First Half ends, Kilmarnock 0, Celtic 1.
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Post update
Hand ball by Kyle Vassell (Kilmarnock).
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Post update
Offside, Kilmarnock. Kyle Vassell is caught offside.
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Post update
Offside, Kilmarnock. Kyle Vassell is caught offside.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Matthew Kennedy.
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Booking
Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Tomoki Iwata (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Post update
Foul by Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock).
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Post update
Matt O’Riley (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Liam Donnelly (Kilmarnock).
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Corrie Ndaba (Kilmarnock) left footed shot from very close range is blocked.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Daniel Armstrong (Kilmarnock) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Matthew Kennedy.
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Post update
Offside, Kilmarnock. Stuart Findlay is caught offside.
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Post update
Foul by Luis Palma (Celtic).
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Post update
Daniel Armstrong (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Goal!
Goal! Kilmarnock 0, Celtic 1. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the top right corner.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Callum McGregor (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Mikey Johnston.
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Post update
Daniel Armstrong (Kilmarnock) hits the left post with a right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box. Assisted by Matthew Kennedy with a cross.
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Post update
Luis Palma (Celtic) hits the left post with a left footed shot from the left side of the box. Assisted by Mikey Johnston with a cross.
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Post update
Offside, Celtic. Oh Hyeon-Gyu is caught offside.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Daniel Armstrong.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Daniel Armstrong.
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Post update
Matt O’Riley (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Foul by Liam Polworth (Kilmarnock).
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Post update
Attempt missed. Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Mikey Johnston.
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Post update
Offside, Celtic. Oh Hyeon-Gyu is caught offside.
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Post update
Offside, Kilmarnock. Kyle Vassell is caught offside.
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Post update
Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
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Post update
Daniel Armstrong (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Mikey Johnston (Celtic).
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Post update
Matthew Kennedy (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic) header from very close range is saved in the top centre of the goal.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Nathaniel Phillips (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Luis Palma with a cross.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Corrie Ndaba.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Nathaniel Phillips (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Luis Palma with a cross.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Stuart Findlay.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Mikey Johnston (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Greg Taylor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Post update
Matt O’Riley (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Liam Donnelly (Kilmarnock).
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Will Dennis.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Tomoki Iwata.
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Post update
Alistair Johnston (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Foul by Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock).
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Kick Off
First Half begins.
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Post update
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.