Liam Scales scored the only goal as Celtic beat Kilmarnock 1-0 at Parkhead on Sunday. The victory keeps Martin O'Neill's side one point clear at the top of the Premiership with 28 points from 12 games, a record of nine wins, one draw and two losses.
Scales rose to meet a Camilo Duran cross in the 26th minute, hooking a header into the top corner. The defender's goal proved decisive in a match where Celtic dominated possession but were wasteful in front of goal. Kilmarnock goalkeeper Nico Mantl made four saves, including a penalty stop from Benjamin Nygren in the 76th minute after a handball by Aaron Tshibola.
Key moments and missed chances
Celtic created the better chances throughout, registering 20 shots to Kilmarnock's seven. Kasper Hogh had a goal ruled out for a foul by Mika Baur in the first half, and Colby Donovan missed a clear opportunity to double the lead after the break. At the other end, Sam Johnstone made important early saves from Tom Lowery and Michael Schjonning-Larsen to preserve the clean sheet. Kilmarnock's Ieuan Owen came close to an equaliser in stoppage time but could not connect with a low Erik Ring cross.
O'Neill made nine substitutions, introducing James Forrest, Luke McCowan and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the second half to see out the win. The result means Celtic have won three of their last five league matches and now head into the international break in first place. Their recent form shows three wins, one draw and one loss from their last five fixtures, and they are on a two-game winning run following this win and a 3-2 victory over Beşiktaş. They will return to action on Saturday, 21 November, at home to St Mirren, a team they beat 2-1 earlier this season.
Camilo Duran, who provided the assist for the winner, is the club's top scorer this season with seven goals in 12 appearances. Celtic's defence, marshalled by Carter-Vickers and Kieran Tierney, recorded its seventh league clean sheet of the campaign. The team has conceded only 10 goals in 12 Premiership matches, the best defensive record in the division, and has scored 27. Their next opponents, St Mirren, sit eighth in the standings.
The visitors remain in sixth place with 17 points. Celtic captain Callum McGregor praised the team's defensive solidity and highlighted the importance of grinding out results during a busy schedule. The match was watched by a crowd of 58,412 at Celtic Park.
Martin O'Neill confirmed on Monday that Jota made his first start since returning from an 18-month layoff in the 1-0 win over Kilmarnock. The Celtic manager said the Portuguese winger "showed some good touches" before being substituted at half-time. The victory, secured by Liam Scales's 26th-minute header, restored Celtic's lead at the top of the Premiership to four points. The club now sits first with 31 points from 13 games.
On November 9, Martin O'Neill confirmed he would not have allowed Kasper Hogh to take the penalty Benjamin Nygren missed against Kilmarnock. The Celtic manager said, "had he still been on the pitch I would not have asked him to take it." O'Neill also revealed midfielder Mika Baur suffered ankle damage and will have a scan. The league leaders, who are four points clear, have scored 28 goals this season.
On November 9, Martin O'Neill provided an update on Mika Baur's ankle injury. The Celtic manager said the midfielder is "really sore" and will have a scan on Monday. O'Neill stated, "I’d hope he won’t be out terribly long but I don't know at the moment." Baur is a doubt for Germany under-21s' upcoming matches. The league leaders, who are four points clear at the top, recorded a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock on November 8.
