It was a stunning Sunday afternoon in Ayrshire, but it ended in heartbreak for Kilmarnock.
Celtic left it late once again, sealing their third consecutive stoppage time victory and crushing Killie in the process. This time it was Julian Araujo who delivered the decisive blow, choosing the perfect moment to net his first goal in Hoops and spark wild celebrations in the away end.
Martin O’Neill’s changes proved pivotal yet again. Sebastian Tounekti’s spectacular strike dragged Celtic back into the contest, and although the visitors had to withstand further pressure, they ultimately found a way to claim all three points.
For Neil McCann, the manner of the defeat was hard to take. Kilmarnock had been excellent in the first half and went into the interval with real belief after outplaying the champions for long spells. Yet as so often happens, Celtic’s persistence told in the closing stages.
Speaking after the match, McCann did not hide his frustration. “I’m angry, of course I am,” he admitted. “I’m so disappointed because I believe we deserved something from the game.
“We knew Celtic would come at us in the second half. They made changes and put us under pressure, but I still felt we were right in it. It took a moment of brilliance from Tounekti to get them back into the game.
“The second goal is disappointing. We conceded similar ones against St Mirren from second balls in the box and not dealing with them properly.
“The last one hurts because it’s right at the end. There’s a minute left. I’m not sure where seven minutes of added time came from. It feels like they just come up with it sometimes. But we still have to manage that situation better.
“That’s what frustrates me most. I would have been disappointed with a draw because I thought we deserved more. But the anger comes from not seeing it out and taking at least a point.”