Kilmarnock 1-2 Celtic: Kelechi Iheanacho rescues Brendan Rodgers' side with late penalty on debut after fan protests at Rugby Park
Report as Celtic left it late to secure a 2-1 win against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park; Kelechi Iheanacho scored a penalty on debut to secure the win; Daizen Maeda netted the opener but saw it cancelled out by David Watson; Celtic fans held a protest against the board
Sunday 14 September 2025 20:13, UK
Kelechi Iheanacho rescued Celtic with a late penalty on his debut for the club to guide them to a 2-1 win against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
Celtic supporters staged a protest against the board, not entering the stadium until the 12th minute, and their frustrations looked as if they were about to be compounded when David Watson's header cancelled out Daizen Maeda's 60th-minute opener.
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But a controversial late VAR check, after James Forrest's effort deflected off Dominic Thompson and struck the hand of his teammate Lewis Mayo, offered new signing Iheanacho the perfect opportunity to endear himself to the fanbase.
The substitute stepped up with confidence to fire his side to the top of the Scottish Premiership table with virtually the last kick of the game, denying Kilmarnock a fifth draw in a row to spoil their unbeaten start.
While Iheanacho's debut goal will receive the vast majority of the plaudits and perhaps help alleviate some of the criticism of this summer's transfer business, the performance of Sebastian Tounekti will also be welcomed.
The Tunisia international, who helped secure World Cup qualification for his country six days prior, dazzled on his debut and the early signs suggest Brendan Rogers has secured promising replacements for those who departed.
"What a debut from him. He is fast and dynamic. He is a real Celtic winger."
Late drama at Rugby Park!
Rodgers: There was a lot of noise
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers speaking to Sky Sports:
"It was a tough game. We were better in the second half and had more flow to our game, more creativity,
"At 1-0 it doesn't matter how much you dominate, there will be periods of pressure and they scored from that. We kept going till the very end and created a little bit of chaos that led to the penalty.
"We deserved to win the game but it is never easy here. It's a big win for us. A win here is very important. For us to get that, new players coming in, the team will only get better.
"We focus on the players that are here. That is the exciting part now. There are challenges ahead but I am delighted for the players. There was a lot of noise, but it was a great feeling."
On the outside noise surrounding the game regarding the board, his future and protests: "From the team perspective, that is the focus. In terms of the board, there will be a review. My job is to review the team.
"Now it is all behind us. We can focus on the football. I believe this team and group will improve."
Kettlewell: Referees told us the handball law had changed
Kilmarnock boss Stuart Kettlewell speaking to Sky Sports:
"The toughest, as tough as it can get. No one will be surprised by my response, by how angry I am and frustrated. I am so proud of the performance; they stuck to the game plan.
"We looked like the team that might go and win it. Celtic were under a lot of pressure and then we get to the decision that everyone is going to talk about.
"This is where I'll try to be factual. There is just amazement that it was awarded as a penalty. We had a meeting [with officials] at the start of the season and we were told that if it ricochets off an opponent or your own player from such a distance that they were almost touching, then it was not going to be a penalty anymore.
"If we were told that, is that wrong information or has it changed? It's different to what I and the players were told."
Sutton: What a start for Iheanacho!
Chris Sutton on Sky Sports:
"What a start to Iheanacho's Celtic career! He was barely in the game, but when the big moment came he strolled up and popped the penalty in.
"Essentially, the team on the pitch is just about winning and they got the job done today. Fair play to the players, especially for that second-half performance.
"When Kilmarnock got level, I actually fancied them to go on and win it as they were the side with the momentum.
"That is a big win today for Celtic."
