Iheanacho’s Last-Gasp Penalty Fires Celtic Back to Top of Scottish Premiership

Kelechi Iheanacho made a dream start to his Celtic career on Sunday, scoring a dramatic stoppage-time penalty to seal a 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock and lift the champions back to the top of the Scottish Premiership.

The afternoon at Rugby Park began under a cloud of unrest as Celtic fans staged a 12-minute boycott in protest over the club’s lack of summer signings and their early Champions League exit to Kairat Almaty.

On the pitch, Daizen Maeda briefly eased tensions with his second goal since April, meeting Marcelo Saracchi’s precise cross with a diving header to give Celtic the lead. But the game turned tense late on when David Watson equalised for Kilmarnock in the 83rd minute, rising to nod home from Greg Kiltie’s corner.

The hosts pushed hard for a winner, but the match swung in Celtic’s favour after VAR ruled Lewis Mayo had handled James Forrest’s goal-bound shot. With virtually the last kick, Iheanacho—signed on a free transfer after the deadline—stepped up and rifled home the decisive penalty.

“I’m delighted for the players first and foremost, because all eyes were on them today,” said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.

“I’d spoken to the players at the hotel before, and I mentioned it (the protest) yesterday, 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, if we get on to 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 victory moved Celtic level on 13 points with Hearts, who sit behind on goal difference, keeping Rodgers’ side narrowly ahead at the summit.