Julian Araujo led a stunning turnaround from a 2-0 deficit to a 3-2 win against Kilmarnock, and his 97th-minute winning goal kept Celtic’s title chances alive.
With the top two teams Hearts and Rangers meeting at Ibrox later on Sunday, Martin O’Neill’s side knew they had to win to put pressure on them, but it was a terrible start.
After scoring a hat-trick against St Mirren in midweek, Tyrese John-Jules rounded Killie forward after poor defending from Celtic defender Auston Trusty, and with Kasper Schmeichel’s goalkeeping doubts lingering, Joe Hugill headed home.
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Tyrese John-Jules and Joe Hugill hit quick doubles in the first half for Kilmarnock that put Celtic within the title race.
O’Neill responded by making three changes at half-time, including the introduction of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but it was another substitution from Sebastian Tunetski who curled in a sensational goal from 25 yards to get Celtic back into the game.
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At Kilmarnock, Sebastian Tunekuti pulled a point back for Celtic with a stunning shot from outside the area.
Then, eight minutes later, Araujo’s long throw found Benjamin Nygren, who slotted home from close range for Celtic’s 16th goal of the season, leveling the score for Celtic.
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Following a long throw-in from Julian Araujo, a mistake by the Kilmarnock defense led to Benjamin Nygren firing from close range.
Despite Celtic’s comeback, it was Kilmarnock who had a chance to win. John-Jules, substituted with a thigh injury, smashed a superb free-kick onto the crossbar and Robbie Dees nodded in from close range after a corner was deflected.
At the other end, Tunecki had a chance to head wide, but Callum McGregor’s long-range shot went just off the post.
However, the winning goal came in the 97th minute when Kilmarnock failed to clear a corner kick and Araujo smashed it in from inside the box. The big result was that one or both of Celtic’s title challengers would later drop points.
O’Neill: ‘Celtic have spirit but late goals are not sustainable’
Celtic head coach Martin O’Neill told Sky Sports:
“The team had spirit, there’s no doubt about it. It wasn’t just a fluke. We were down 2-0 at half-time and lost the game, but we didn’t play well at all. The second half was really great.”
“The message at half-time was simple: play the game properly. We created some chances in the first half, missed one or two, but overall we played very sloppily. I don’t think we were able to adapt to the conditions and how Kilmarnock were playing.”
“Kilmarnock were very strong so we had to make changes at half-time and the players came on and had a big impact.
“It happens too often. I don’t think we can keep doing that. But they play until the end. That’s what’s great about them. The spirit and determination they have inside them. Well done then.”
“Who knows? It’s a game we’ve won now after being completely out of the woods at one stage. I feel like this group will never be completely out of the woods. I’m very happy that we fought back the way we did. You never know how it will end.”
Killy Boss additional time question
Kilmarnock head coach Neil McCann told Sky Sports:
“It hurts. It really hurts. I don’t think we deserved to lose that game.
“To their credit, Celtic fought until the end, as they always do. We said beforehand that it might happen today. We didn’t do enough to see the game through.”
“You could have heard it through the wall, but it’s very disappointing. Seven minutes – I don’t know where it came from. But whatever happens, we have to deal with it. We have to manage the situation better. It’s very disappointing that after 97 minutes we couldn’t do anything.”
