Celtic FC vs Kilmarnock Predictions: Celtic FC Match report
Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic paid his own fitting homage to the late Billy McNeill by heading in the winner against Kilmarnock at Parkhead. The Hoops beat Killie 1-0 on Saturday to go within one point of retaining the Scottish Premiership title.
Kilmarnock were on the back foot for most of the game, but they had the better chances before the interval. Celtic, meanwhile, had some half chances and some tame efforts on goal. But with the scoreboard showing 67, Simunovic headed in the only goal of the game from a Callum McGregor cross.
The Hoops boss Neil Lennon made two changes in his starting XI, as Tom Rogic and Scott Sinclair came in for Olivier Ntcham and Jonny Hayes. Killie manager Steve Clarke chose an attacking line-up and they always looked a threat on the counter.
In the 14th minute, Scott Brown was lucky not to give a penalty away when he pushed Stephen O’Donnell in the back. Four minutes later, Chris Burke wasted a glorious chance to give the visitors the lead, as goalkeeper Scott Bain made a crucial block to keep the scoreline 0-0.
Kilmarnock grew in confidence after a bright start, with Bain keeping out efforts from Millar and McAleny. Celtic manager Neil Lennon looked very unhappy with his side’s lacklustre display for the first 25 minutes. But his frustration slowly reduced as Celtic started to take control of the game. Such was the intensity from the hosts’ after the 30th minute that one certainly got the sense Clarke’s Kilmarnock desperately needed half-time to come.
The early minutes of the second half saw Bain stretch to tip Burke’s curling effort from 20 yards over the bar after Hoops defender Mikael Lustig had passed straight to him. At the other end, Daniel Bachmann made a fantastic save from McGregor.
However, Celtic got the lead in the 67th minute when Simunovic rose highest at the back post to head home beyond the hapless Bachmann. The Croatian immediately pointed to the sky in honour of the Billy McNeill, as Celtic Park erupted in unison.
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After Celtic edged out Kilmarnock 1-0, here’s how the fans reacted on Twitter.
That Simunovic Goal was truly magical and fitting for todays game and it probably couldn’t of been scripted more perfectly for billy but that cant hide the fact that todays performance was another lack luster one where players are struggling to pass the ball to a team mates
— Sweeney (@Sweeney_1888) April 27, 2019
Glad for the win, but please don’t appoint Lennon for next season.
New manager, decent transfer budget and we can kick on for the 10
— Luke Bernard-Haigh (@50shadesofhaigh) April 27, 2019
What a club💚
— Irish Blue 🇮🇪 (@GaeilgeToffee) April 27, 2019
A wins a win, but that was dire stuff to watch
— David (@davelav5) April 27, 2019
was written in the stars. hail cesar💚
— ً (@cfcbenyu) April 27, 2019
Today was all about 1 man and what a way to settle it 💚💚💚
— 🍀 Mika ☘️ (@fenian__army) April 27, 2019
Incredible send off.
Massive 3 points
We are Glasgow Celtic and we won’t be stopped.— Aidan Thomson (@AidanThomson17) April 27, 2019
Aye, but let’s put that off for today, is Billy’s day 🍀
— SiobheanG (@SiobheanG) April 27, 2019
