Dedryck Boyata – On our way to make it 10

Riddle solved

After the terrible performance on Thursday night against Valencia, Celtic had a major point to prove. They couldn’t have picked a much harder place to do so domestically than Rugby Park, given that the hoops have lost on their last two visits there.

The first half of the game was relatively flat, with Celtic struggling to penetrate the Kilmarnock backline. Edouard did have an effort saved by the killie goalkeeper just after the ten minute mark but that was as close as they came in the first half. Celtic did dominate possession but Kilmarnock remained relatively comfortable. There was controversy just before half time when Scott Brown slid into a tackle late but was only shown a yellow card.

Into the second half and the game remained close, with both teams looking like they could break the deadlock. However the game changed when Kirk Broadfoot was shown a straight red for a dangerous challenge on Scott Brown. Celtic began to push more and were unlucky on a few occasions despite patient build up play. Then the moment came that all the fans were hoping for. Mcgregor whipped in a corner which Boyata headed back across goal where Scott Brown was waiting. His shot ricocheted off a Kilmarnock players hand and into the back of the net, right at the end of the game.

The stand behind the goal erupted, with fans flooding onto the pitch to celebrate Brown’s winner. He was sent off for the celebrations, not that he seemed to mind though, given that his goal takes Celtic eight points clear at the top of the Premiership.

It will take something special to catch the parkhead side now and you cannot help but feel that the only thing which will stop them from winning their eighth title in a row is themselves.

Wanting what you cannot have

I have always been fascinated by the men who sign for Celtic that I know the club can’t keep. Players such as Robbie Keane and Patrick Roberts are amongst the talent who I have grown to love most in my time watching football. After Wednesdays game against St Mirren I can now add Timothy Weah and Oliver Burke to the list of players whose departures I won’t ever get over.

Putting the future emotional damage to one side, it was back to basics for Celtic on Wednesday, as they returned to league action for the first time since losing the title to Rangers on the 29th of December. Brendan Rodgers made one change from Saturdays victory against Airdrie, with Kristoffer Ajer replacing Dedryck Boyata. Almost identical to the weekends performance, Celtic dominated possession from the outset. The ball was moving fast and the opening came on the 11th minute when Burke scored his first goal for the club with a header from a Ryan Christie free kick. Celtic continued to pile on the pressure in the first half and the Paisley side were opened up again when Scott Sinclair was fouled inside the box. Just like on Saturday Sinclair stepped up but this time he converted the spot kick.

Into the second half and Celtic continued to dominate. It was only a matter of time before the next goal came and it arrived on the 55th minute when Burke scored his second. Ten minutes later he was replaced by Weah who himself would go on to score four minutes from time. It was another instinctive finish from the American, who similarly to the weekend, ran in behind and finished with one touch.

Even though both Weah and Burke have just arrived it is fair to say that I am already upset at their future goodbye posts on Instagram.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

When The Outhere Brothers wrote their song “Boom Boom Boom” they could only dream that the track would be played at a 4th round Scottish Cup game. However I am sure they will be glad to know that they can now tick that off their bucket list. While some fans complained about the tune, I think I can speak for everyone when I say that it is a musical masterpiece compared to the Scott Brown tribute song released last year.

Questionable song choices aside though, Celtic had a job to do on Saturday. Coming off their embarrassing performance against Rangers and the three week winter break which followed, the team had a point to prove. The game started as many would have expected with Celtic dominating possession and Airdrie putting every man behind the ball. The game was going to open up eventually and it happened just after the half hour mark when Izaguirre was fouled inside the box. Scott Sinclair stepped up but his spot kick was saved. This was the start of an up and down game for Sinclair which saw him miss an open goal shortly after before scoring in each half and then being denied a hat trick due to a poor offside call from the linesmen.

Scott Sinclair was involved in a lot of the games key moments.

Airdrie offered little throughout the game, apart from a moment in the first half when Scott Bain pulled off a remarkable string of saves in a row to deny the league 1 side an equaliser.

Celtic played with pace and intent throughout and this was exemplified when new signing Timothy Weah came off the bench to score. An excellent pass by Dedryck Boyata played Weah in behind allowing him to slip the ball past the goalkeeper. As he scored the aforementioned Outhere Brothers track played and if he continues to play like he did at the weekend then I am all for it.