Kelechi Iheanacho made an instant impact for Celtic, holding his nerve in stoppage time to bury a penalty and snatch a 2-1 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

The Nigerian striker came off the bench with 20 minutes to play and, after missing an earlier chance, showed ice-cold composure when it mattered most.

Deep into added time, James Forrest’s effort struck the arm of Lewis Mayo, and after a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot. With the pressure on, Iheanacho stepped up and fired a powerful left-footed strike into the top corner before celebrating wildly with the travelling support.

Celtic had gone ahead early in the second half when Daizen Maeda met Marcelo Saracchi’s cross with a brave header. Debutant Sebastian Tounekti also caught the eye with a lively performance on the wing, creating chances and stretching the Killie defence.

But the Hoops were pegged back when David Watson rose unmarked to head home from a corner, leaving Brendan Rodgers’ side facing a frustrating draw.

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Rangers v Celtic – Ibrox, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – August 31, 2025 Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

That all changed in the 95th minute. Iheanacho, calm under pressure, made no mistake from the spot and secured three points that take Celtic back to the top of the Premiership on goal difference ahead of Hearts.

It was a debut to remember for Iheanacho, whose composure in the final seconds turned a nervy afternoon into a winning one.

2 COMMENTS

  1. What you seen on tv looked like teenagers coming in late but good result kettleworth set his team out to spoil the game slow takes trying to rub the sponsors name of the ball with a towel farce and have to stop this time waisting and a pitch that anti football it was no coincidence that Celtic started passing cause the ball was moving quicker when rain watered the pitch it was so slow if Kilmarnock never watered it sfa have to make it compulsory to soak it for an hour just before game but Rodgers deserved he sent a team out to win it Kettleworth sent a team out to frustrated Celtic with there spoiling tactics love it when coaches do that and lose last kick of ball and im glad we have no injuries on a dry plastic pitch glad the rain came makes a bike diffirance ball skidding of the surface first 20 minutes was so slow players are lucky not to get injured killie fullback limp of just to watch ball go in the net his injury made it easy for Donavan to go byline put ball into forest

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