The Hoops cut the gap at the top to seven points as they thumped Stuart Kettlewell’s men 4-0
18:09, 09 Nov 2025
Kieran Tierney delivered his first as Martin O’Neill now waits to discover if it was his last.
It had been seven years since the Celtic hero had struck for his boyhood club.
But Tierney’s first goal since returning from Arsenal ensured another domestic success for his interim boss, who is now waiting along with Shaun Maloney for the club’s next call on whether or not this will be their last final game at the helm.
It was Johnny Kenny who bagged the first goal of O’Neill’s return against Falkirk and he made it four in four games with the opener against Kilmarnock.
Sub Tierney, Daizen Maeda and an Arne Engels spot-kick then sealed the points after the break to ensure O’Neill’s strange fortnight ended with a familiar feeling.
Celtic’s Kieran Tierney (L) celebrates scoring to make it 2-0 vs Kilmarnock(Image: SNS Group)
Unfortunately for Stuart Kettlewell, the feeling of defeat was also familiar. It’s now five on the bounce for the Killie boss during a stressful period.
He needs to get a tune out of his team, while it remains to be seen if O’Neill will get another shot.
The defeat to FC Midtjylland in Europe was sobering, but it’s three domestic wins out of three for the veteran with this one cutting Hearts’ lead at the top to seven points.
Having stepped in to replace Brendan Rodgers, the 73-year-old and Maloney concentrated on the four-game stint, but now the club face big decisions.
Discussions are clearly taking place behind the scenes regarding the next move, yet the sight of O’Neill taking in St Mirren vs Hibs on Saturday night intrigued, given the fact Celtic’s next two top-flight matches are visits to Paisley and Leith.
Whatever happens, going into this latest international break, it’s been job done on the domestic front and his team were in control of this from the outset.
Prior to kick-off, the period of silence for Remembrance Sunday was shortened due to noise. Once the match started, parity also didn’t last long.
Kenny hit a post before bagging and it was a nightmare for Killie stopper Robbie Deas, who stumbled attempting to deal with a Reo Hatate pullback and the Irishman accepted the 10th minute gift.
There was a zip about Celtic at that stage. A freshness. Jahmai Simpson-Pusey’s inclusion was a big discussion point. Luke McCowan and Hatate in from the beginning.
Marcelo Saracchi also started, but the Uruguayan was soon back off as Tierney took over. Maeda couldn’t apply the finishing touch after keeper Eddie Beach fumbled a Sebastian Tounekti shot as Kettlewell’s men fought to stay afloat.
Yet out of nothing, they came within inches of a leveller when Bruce Anderson managed to get free inside the box and his strike hit the crossbar with Kasper Schmeichel an onlooker. That encouraged the visitors and the Dane did excellently to tip a deflected Scott Tiffoney effort over.
Celtic’s Johnny Kenny celebrates scoring to make it 1-0 (Image: SNS Group)
After the interval, though, Celtic had too much. Tierney put the game beyond doubt six minutes into the second period when Beach didn’t get down to the defender’s low drive from outside the box and that finished it as a contest.
It didn’t, however, finish the scoring as Maeda took a lovely touch and drilled a sweet strike beyond Beach with five minutes to go after a sublime Arne Engels pass.
In stoppage time, Engels then struck home a penalty. James Brown was penalised for tugging sub Hyunjun Yang and the Belgian, who was handed the ball by skipper Callum McGregor as Hatate enquired about the chance to repeat his spot-kick success in Denmark, slammed home.
Tierney gets the feeling
Injury issues just keep coming for the champions with Saracchi the latest to limp off midway through the first-half. However, it opened the door for Tierney to get back onto the pitch and he got a superb moment to signal his impact on the day.
The long-range strike was accurate and put him on the Celtic scoresheet for the first time since netting against RB Leipzig in 2018. The Scotland star is still hunting his peak form, but that will surely offer a big boost.
Kettlewell test
The Kilmarnock manager made a positive start to his reign, but these are testing times. Five straight defeats with 13 goals lost is a tough stretch. Two matches away at the Old Firm and a home clash with Hearts have been in this recent run, so it’s not been easy with the absence of nine players just adding to the problems. Kettlewell could do with a big result when his old club Motherwell head for Ayrshire on Saturday week.
Point to prove?
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey’s situation was the source of plenty chat during his top-team absence since joining from Manchester City, but this was a sighting at right-back with eyes on the 20-year-old. It was a no frills show as he attempted to settle. The youngster sensibly took the safe option in possession and held his post.
Celtic’s Jahmai Simpson-Pusey in action
Defending first and foremost and now he’s finally up and running having never sniffed the side under Brendan Rodgers.
What next for Watson
Killie’s midfield ace has been attracting interest from scouting teams outside of KIllie and Celtic are amongst those watching. The 20-year-old has a raft of top-team experience under his belt for someone his age and he never gives it up.
A brilliant block at the edge of the box as McGregor looked to replicate his Hampden beauty against Rangers summed him up. This was a hard shift, but his attitude is exemplary and he’ll be a great addition for anyone.
Disconnect with fans goes on
The first game of a latest ban for Green Brigade members, but the angst didn’t go away. The section in the corner was still well populated and the banners against the board in place. Issues have been ongoing. There have been meetings, protests and campaigns and from the support against the hierarchy and it’s not going away. It’s nothing to do with the squad, but the unity the players would crave to ensure maximum backing seems a mile off and that’s tough on them.
