Celtic deserved to be punished by Kilmarnock admits boss Ronny Deila

Kris Commons lobbed in a second on 63 minutes to seal the victory for Celtic, who are gearing up for their UEFA Champions League play-off encounter with Malmo next week.

Deila was not a happy man after the full-time whistle, but admitted his side did not deserve more than a point. A cheeky Panenka, or a thunderbolt from 30 yards?

“We should have scored more goals but I am very disappointed that we were sloppy in defence”.

The manager said; “I am gutted for the lad”.

Hearts took advantage of a Celtic slip-up to move to the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership following a 2-0 win against Motherwell.

Substitutes Arron Splaine and Mark O’Hara also troubled the Celtic goal in the second period and finally there was some feelgood factor for the Rugby Park regulars to celebrate. But for a somewhat fragmented side, Celtic settled instantly, as Griffiths made the most of some terribly lackadaisical defending from a quick free-kick to slide a finish under Jamie MacDonald.

They might have been punished when Magennis hoisted over after escaping the offside trap while Lee Ashcroft’s header was saved by Craig Gordon.

In the 35th minute, and completely out of the blue, Magennis missed a glorious chance when he was put through by Rory McKenzie, blasting high over the crossbar when faced with the whites of Gordon’s eyes.

His goal required something of a charmed life when Tom Rogic’s close-range header after Van Dijk had helped on a set piece struck the post.

What a save it proved to be because Killie drew level before the interval as Darryl Westlake delivered a cross and Magennis made amends for his earlier miss as he sidefooted home from six yards out, getting in front of Efe Ambrose to beat Gordon.

But Celtic was back in front after 55 minutes when Nir Bitton unleashed a stunning 30-yard shot into the top corner.

However, with four minutes remaining the home side were awarded a spot-kick when Celtic defender Emilio Izaguirre brought down Greg Kiltie and Higginbotham cheekily dinked the ball over Craig Gordon for Killie’s first point of the season, with Celtic dropping their first points of the campaign.