Celtic relieved at late winner whilst fans escalate unrest with board | OneFootball

Rodgers steadies Celtic with late drama at Kilmarnock

Celtic left Rugby Park with three points on a stormy afternoon that summed up the tension currently surrounding the club. Brendan Rodgers, under increasing scrutiny from supporters and dealing with whispers of internal unrest, cut the figure of a man still deeply invested in the project. His animated celebration at the decisive moment told its own story.

Rodgers under pressure yet resilient

Rodgers’ week had been dominated by speculation, not least the fallout from so-called “leak-gate” and renewed protests against the board. Asked beforehand if Celtic could unite again, his answer was telling: unity on the pitch was his only concern. For long spells, even that appeared beyond his control.

The opening hour was sluggish, marked by wayward passing and a lack of conviction. The mood among the away support was no less fractious. Many delayed their arrival as part of a demonstration against the club hierarchy, while banners calling for change were raised inside the ground. Yet despite the atmosphere, Rodgers’ side found just enough resilience to edge past a determined Kilmarnock team.

Tounekti shines on difficult stage

If there was one positive beyond the result, it was the emergence of Sebastian Tounekti. The winger provided energy and imagination on a heavy afternoon in Ayrshire. He drove at defenders with purpose, mixing inside runs with wide bursts, and offered the kind of spark Celtic have been missing in recent weeks.

Rodgers was quick to praise him afterwards, describing him as the type of player the team has been lacking. For a debutant, performing on Kilmarnock’s artificial surface in lashing rain was no easy task, yet Tounekti looked unfazed and gave Celtic their only consistent attacking outlet.

Maeda and Iheanacho alter the script

Just as frustration peaked, Celtic struck. Marcelo Saracchi, after an indifferent display, delivered a cross that Daizen Maeda nodded home. Ironically, Maeda was moments away from being substituted, his form dipping in the shadow of an unsettled summer. The reprieve was brief: David Watson’s thumping header levelled matters late on, leaving the visitors vulnerable to another setback.

Then came the penalty. Awarded for a handball that Kilmarnock felt was harsh, Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up under enormous pressure. His cool finish silenced doubts over his signing and ignited celebrations in the away end. Rodgers’ reaction – a beaming smile in the driving rain – betrayed both relief and satisfaction.

Celtic board remains in the spotlight

The victory extends Celtic’s advantage over Rangers to nine points, but the bigger picture remains fraught. Chants of “sack the board” resurfaced at full time, if more muted than earlier in the afternoon. The discontent is unlikely to disappear quickly, and results alone may not suffice to repair the relationship between fans and decision-makers.

For Rodgers, though, this was a vital response. The performance lacked fluency, yet the determination to find a way through mattered more. In Tounekti, Celtic may have unearthed a new attacking fulcrum. In Iheanacho, they saw evidence of resilience in a player eager to prove his worth.

It was not a statement of dominance, but it was survival. For now, that is enough to keep Rodgers’ side moving forward.