Celtic vs Kilmarnock. Scottish Premiership.
Celtic ParkAttendance57,679.
Monday 10 April 2017 12:43, UK
Champions Celtic continued their quest for an unbeaten Scottish Premiership season with a 3-1 win over Kilmarnock at Celtic Park.
Brendan Rodgers' side, a week on from securing their sixth successive domestic title, dominated for long spells after Stuart Armstrong gave them a first-half lead.
But they needed goals from Scott Sinclair and James Forrest in the closing 20 minutes after Killie threatened to extend a rare winless run beyond one game after Celtic were held in midweek by Partick Thistle.
Martin Smith volleyed an early chance wide for the visitors, but it was Celtic who came closest to an early goal when Scott Sinclair's shot went inches wide of the post.
Callum McGregor was denied by a fine save by Freddie Woodman, while Armstrong fired over the bar, but he would not be denied on 22 minutes just after Woodman had also kept out a shot from Scott Brown.
Armstrong collected the ball 25 yards from goal and smashed a shot into the corner of the net, apparently with the aid of a slight deflection.
Celtic's domination continued until half-time with Kieran Tierney coming close to a second from an acute angle and Armstrong having a shot charged down as he looked for his 15th goal of the season.
Kilmarnock's overworked defence managed to stop Patrick Roberts early in the second period and the Manchester City loanee set up Sinclair to head just wide as the game continued to be one-sided.
But that dominance, which did not include a vital second goal, left the door open for Killie and they took one of their few chances with 25 minutes remaining.
The equaliser again took a deflection as Jones' effort spun just away from the reach of Celtic 'keeper Craig Gordon, who had until then been little more than a spectator.
That kicked Celtic back into life and they were back in front within six minutes, Sinclair finishing from close range after Roberts had knocked the ball across goal.
Sinclair almost doubled his tally a couple of minutes later but his effort was cleared off the line.
But the third would come on 76 minutes when Forrest reacted quickly to nod home after sub Moussa Dembele's shot had come back off the post.
Dembele had two further chances in the closing minutes but couldn't grab a fourth as Celtic comfortably made it 39 domestic games without defeat.
