The Celts will head in to the international break at the top of the Scottish Premiership table after a 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park this afternoon (Sunday). Derek McInnes’ side looked motivated for the visit of the champions and made it a difficult afternoon for Brendan Rodgers’ men, however the class, composure and clinical finishing from the Celts, allied with some brilliant goalkeeping from Kasper Schmeichel, proved to be too much for the Ayrshire side to deal with. Speaking to Celtic TV after the match at the end of a week which has included victories in the Scottish League Cup semi final, the Champions League and the Scottish Premiership, Brendan Rodgers was quick to praise his side for their efforts at Rugby Park. “We showed another side to our game today,” he said. “That’s three different competitions now, different types of requirements needed in the games, and today we needed to show our fighting qualities and stand up to the directness of Kilmarnock. “I thought our goalkeeper and back four stood up to it brilliantly, midfield players got to the second balls, and then in the moments to settle the game and show our quality we did that. ‘We could have had more but it was always tight, right to the very end.’ “It was tight in the first half but we scored at a good time and then we know we’re going to have to defend for periods in the game, because you never get the chance to settle and work. “Every time they have it, it’s going direct and you’re playing for second and third balls. “But it’s so good to know that the players can deal with that and I’m very proud of them.”Callum McGregor opened the scoring for the Celts just before half time with an attempted cross to Adam Idah which crept in to the back of the net. Nicolas Kühn gave the champions a bit of breathing space in the second half as he made it 2-0 with a sensational run and finish in to the bottom corner. Kühn is now on 10 goals for the season and Brendan says he puts his recent form down to an upturn in the German winger’s self-belief. He said: “It’s confidence and I think he’s got that feeling now for scoring goals. “He’s disappointed he didn’t score the other chance which he felt was an easier one. “His movement was great. His touch to set himself up and the finish were both absolutely sublime and we needed that at 1-0 because with balls coming in to the box it’s very close. “So he enabled us to settle the game. It was a great pass from Ali and a great run and finish from Nic.” As well as being ruthless with chances in the final third, the Celts were solid at the back, with Kasper Schmeichel putting in a Man of the Match performance as he refused to allow Kilmarnock to find the back of the net. The Danish stopper came up with some brilliant saves throughout the match, and Brendan was keen to heap praise on his No. 1 after the game. He added: “Both from a defensive perspective and offensively with the ball, he allows us to play through. Some of his distribution was excellent, “He hasn’t had a lot to do over the course of the season, but what he had to do today, he made some fantastic saves and we really appreciate that from him. “You need your goalkeeper to turn up for away games like today and he done that.”FixturesKilmarnock Vs. Celtic – Sun, Nov 10th 2024, 15:00
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