CELTIC’S LEAD AT the top of the Scottish Premiership has been cut to one point after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Kilmarnock on the day they equalled a 100 year old UK record.
With Tuesday’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich looming, Brendan Rodgers rested several stars and his side took a 43rd minute lead through Leigh Griffiths.
However, Kilmarnock showed more purpose in the second half and Jordan Jones fired home a 60th minute equaliser.
Despite disappointment at dropping points at home, the Celtic fans were cheered by the fact their side created another piece of history in the match.
The champions extended their unbeaten record to 62 in domestic matches — equalling their own UK record set by Willie Maley’s Celtic side between 1915 and 1917.
“It was a frustrating game for us,” Rodgers admitted.
“The players gave absolutely everything but we just lacked that final bit of quality and pass in the final third.”
Aberdeen closed the gap at the top with a 2-1 win over Ross County while Rangers moved up to third as they began life after Pedro Caixinha with a 3-1 win away to Hearts.
Former Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty gave Hearts the lead but veteran Kenny Miller — frozen out under Caixinha — equalised before the break.
Miller headed Rangers in front and Josh Windass sealed the win for caretaker manager Graeme Murty.
At Celtic Park, Rodgers made six changes to the side that defeated Aberdeen in midweek with captain Scott Brown rested and 18-year-old Michael Johnston handed a debut.
The Celtic support were presented with a FIFA fans award before kick-off, but there wasn’t a lot for them to cheer in the first half until Griffiths’ opener just before the break.
Celtic had Kilmarnock pinned in their own half but the visitors dogged defending kept them at bay until Griffiths grabbed the opener.
Eboue Kouassi’s floated pass played the Scottish striker through and he fired his first-time shot through the legs of the advancing MacDonald.
Kilmarnock started the second half with more purpose equalised on the hour.
A surging run from Jones ended with his shot cannoning off the base of Craig Gordon’s post but he was quickest to react to collect the rebound and after a clever one-two he slotted the ball beyond the Celtic ‘keeper.
Kilmarnock continued to limit Celtic’s chances but offered more of a threat going forward and Chris Burke stung the palms of Gordon with a long-range strike before Griffiths and Moussa Dembele spurned late chances for the hosts.
The result means former West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Clarke has started his spell as Kilmarnock boss with back-to-back draws against both sides of the Old Firm after their midweek match with Rangers.
“It’s been good but the players have got to take all the credit not me,” Clarke said.
“They’re the ones who go on the pitch. All I’ve introduced is one or two simple little principles and some organisation.”
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