Super Eagles forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, struck a dramatic stoppage-time penalty to hand Celtic a 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock on Sunday, September 14, a result that returned the champions to the top of the Scottish Premiership amid fan unrest.
Supporters staged a protest by boycotting the opening 12 minutes of the match at Rugby Park in anger over the club’s lack of transfer activity and frustration following an early Champions League exit to Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty.
Daizen Maeda eased some of the tension when he opened the scoring with a diving header from Marcelo Saracchi’s pinpoint cross, his first goal since April.
But Kilmarnock piled on late pressure and found an equaliser in the 83rd minute through David Watson, who rose to head in from Greg Kiltie’s corner. The home side pressed for a winner and looked the more likely to claim all three points.
Celtic, however, were handed a lifeline in stoppage time after VAR ruled Lewis Mayo had handled James Forrest’s shot inside the box. Iheanacho, signed as a free agent after the transfer deadline, stepped up with virtually the last kick of the match and smashed the spot-kick past the goalkeeper.
“I’m delighted for the players first and foremost, because all eyes were on them today,” said manager Brendan Rodgers. “I’d spoken to the players at the hotel before and mentioned the importance of concentration. I talk a lot about the first five minutes, but today was about the first 12 minutes and how we had to manage the situation.
“There’s been a lot said and written and talked about, but ultimately once we get on the pitch we can control that. I’m just so pleased for them that they could get a win to get us going again on this next round of games.”
The win moved Celtic level on 13 points with Hearts, but Rodgers’ side sit top of the Premiership table on goal difference.
