Celtic, the Scottish Premiership’s reigning champions, have been experiencing a rollercoaster of a season. From an outside perspective, it might seem like they’ve been struggling to find their footing, and their recent match against Kilmarnock only added to their woes.
Brendan Rodgers, the Celtic manager, must be feeling a sense of déjà vu when it comes to Rugby Park. After all, four of his ten domestic losses over two managerial spells at Celtic have occurred on that very pitch. Two of those defeats transpired this season, with the most recent one being inflicted by Kilmarnock in a 2-1 victory.
Last week, Rodgers joined the chorus of managers advocating for the phasing out of artificial surfaces in the top flight of Scottish football. However, he refused to blame the playing conditions for his team’s loss this time, stating, “The pitch was all right for an Astroturf surface – when you get rain, it makes it slick and it was actually good.”
So, what exactly went wrong for Celtic, and what went so right for Kilmarnock?
Inconsistencies Plague Celtic
Rodgers, who had expressed extreme frustration in a previous match when Celtic trailed St Johnstone at halftime but came back to win, was relatively measured in his assessment this time. He admitted, “We’re a bit inconsistent at the moment.”
He acknowledged that some might point to the absence of Cameron Carter-Vickers due to injury, especially after Nat Phillips’ unfortunate own goal that leveled the scores. However, Rodgers was quick to dismiss this as an excuse, emphasizing that they have a squad with talented players.
“The first half last week at St Johnstone wasn’t good enough, second half we were there, but it was the reverse today,” Rodgers reflected.
In the second half against Kilmarnock, Celtic struggled to make passes that could advance them up the pitch, and this lack of attacking threat was the major disappointment of the match. It appeared that Celtic had played Kilmarnock’s game instead of their own, according to Rodgers.
Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner concurred, stating, “Celtic couldn’t get any control in that second half. They were outplayed. It was all about Kilmarnock’s aggression. A remarkable level of fitness, they didn’t come off it at all.”
Title Race Intensifies
With this defeat, Celtic’s lead over Rangers has narrowed to just five points, and the upcoming Old Firm derby on December 30th is bound to be a crucial match. The pressure is mounting on Celtic, as their recent form has been inconsistent, with only two wins in five outings across all competitions.
Rodgers remains optimistic, saying, “There is a long way to go, lots of games to play. We’ll pick ourselves up and go again.” However, Bonner believes that the second half of the Kilmarnock match might cause Rodgers some sleepless nights. He pointed out that Celtic has been unpredictable this season, showing brilliance at times but also struggling against certain opponents.
Kilmarnock’s Rise
On the other side of the pitch, it was a tale of two halves for Kilmarnock’s manager, Derek McInnes. Before celebrating a second successive victory over Celtic at Rugby Park, McInnes had to inspire his players to be more courageous and assertive in the second half.
His halftime pep talk had the desired effect, as Kilmarnock launched an aggressive assault on the champions, ultimately securing the goals they deserved in the final 15 minutes of the match.
“We had to be braver, we had to take a step forward, and I thought Stuart Findlay was immense at the back,” said McInnes. “The players were magnificent in the second half, when it was the total reverse of the first. It was everything I wanted from my team.”
Kilmarnock’s European Ambitions
Kilmarnock’s rise in the league table has been notable this season. After a season of consolidation in the top flight last year, they have now beaten both Celtic and Rangers this season and find themselves in fifth place, just two points behind third-placed St Mirren.
Former Rugby Park midfielder Stephen McGinn hailed the victory as “one of the best I’ve seen for Kilmarnock in a long time” and emphasized that Kilmarnock’s performance against Celtic resembled the great days of Steve Clarke’s reign.
“If you’re a Kilmarnock player looking at that league table, how can you not fancy one of those European spots?” McGinn asked.
Matty Kennedy, who scored the winning goal, expressed the team’s confidence, saying, “We believe we can beat any team.”
As the season unfolds, the Scottish Premiership promises more drama, surprises, and intense battles for both Celtic and Kilmarnock, making it a captivating storyline for fans of sports and football enthusiasts alike.
