February 17 2024 Matchzone: Celtic (A)
Kilmarnock picked up a vital point at Celtic Park in dramatic fashion.
David Watson came off the bench to head home a fantastic equaliser right in front of the travelling fans.
Kyogo Furuhashi had the hosts in front with a header of his own just after the half-hour mark.
The result, twinned with a defeat at Livingston for St Mirren, leaves us two points clear in fourth.
Marley Watkins had sight at goal after just a couple of minutes of the match as he jumped highest after a Corrie Ndaba cross, but the in-form striker’s header was well caught by Joe Hart.
Luis Palma cut inside in the 12th minute as he looked likely to open the scoring, but his close-range shot was well saved by the on-rushing Will Dennis.
The hosts got themselves in front just after the half-hour mark when Furuhashi headed across the goal and past Dennis in the Killie goal after a fine cross from Anthony Ralston.
Liam Donnelly went incredibly close as he headed a powerful effort at goal following a near-post run from a corner, but Hart was alert to save well.
Killie appealed for a penalty when Watkins went down in the box after a challenge, but whistler John Beaton was having none of it as he waved play on.
Dennis pulled off a great save right before half-time which was followed up by a crucial block off the line from Ndaba.
Matt O’Riley went close seven minutes into the second half with a powerful shot from distance, but Dennis was strong and saved well.
Liam Donnelly had a decent chance in the 63rd minute as he fired a low drive, but thankfully for Hart it went wide of the post.
Donnelly had another decent chance minutes later when he headed towards goal, but once again Hart was on alert to save.
Danny Armstrong had a guilt-edged chance in the 72nd minute when the ball fell to him at the back post, but his effort went frustratingly wide.
With nine minutes remaining, Paulo Bernardo smashed a shot from 20 yards, but it was over the crossbar leaving Dennis relieved.
Kevin Van Veen whipped a teasing ball into the area after good play from Greg Stewart in the 87th minute, but David Watson couldn’t find the target with a subsequent chance.
Killie then bagged the crucial equaliser when Watson headed home superbly from a Fraser Murray cross to send the away end into euphoria.
Score: Celtic 1-1 Kilmarnock
Team: Dennis, Mayo, Wright, Findlay, Ndaba, Armstrong (Stewart 73), Polworth (85), Donnelly, Kennedy (Murray 85), Watkins (Van Veen 73), Vassell (Balagizi 68)
