Another nail biting episode in Celtic’s season

On Sunday we witnessed another nail biting episode in Celtic’s season this time at Rugby Park. 2-0 down to Kilmarnock at half time and not playing well on the plastic pitch. Some Celtic fans went into meltdown on social media.

Martin O’Neill called the players magnificent after the game but only those in the dressing room will know what he called them during the break.  What ever he said Celtic came out for the second half the better for it.

The game was Martin O’Neill’s 300^th appearance and he must have been scratching his head watching that first half and wondering if that is as bad any of his Celtic teams have played in those 300 games? He kicks every ball and after the game he must have been so relieved after what he witnessed in that first half.

He made 3 changes at half time and those changes had an impact on the outcome of the game. After the Celtic fight back and the game poised at 2 goals each. Kilmarnock got back into the game and had chances including when John-Jules rattled a free kick off the cross bar to fire a warning to Celtic that they were still very much in the game.

Thankfully it was another late winning goal that sent us into wild celebrations. Araujo left it very late, the 97^th minute to score the winner. How much did he enjoy that goal leaping into the Celtic fans to celebrate.

I listened to the official Celtic podcast with him last week and he came across very humble. He grew up in working class immigrant family in the US and he has immense pride in playing for Mexico.

Substitute Tounekti scored a magnificent goal to get Celtic back into the game and Nygren once again was on the score sheet to make it 2-2. Some players were not at their best on Sunday and they will need to pick themselves up for Thursday night when we take on a quality team in Stuttgart who also won at the weekend. Tickets are still on sale for Thursday night but you would be expecting this one to sell out even with what is going on off the field between the Celtic board and Celtic fans.

The rangers v  Hearts at Ibrox came next. The Edinburgh side were the ones who dropped points. They still sit top of the table on 57 point, the rangers are second with 55 points and Celtic sit in third with 54 points with a game in hand. Motherwell beat Aberdeen to keep in the chase with 47 points they also have a game in hand.

Celtic are the only Scottish team left in Europe so that means that all those in the race for title will have more time to prepare for the weekends fixtures. Hibs visit Celtic Park on Sunday at same time the rangers are away to bottom of the table Livingston. On Saturday Hearts are at home to Falkirk while Motherwell travel to Paisley to play St. Mirren.

Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes & Host of the Celtic Soul Podcast