John Kennedy was relieved and delighted to see Tony Watt score the only goal of the game against Dundee United.
With Hearts scoring three minutes from time to win at Aberdeen the points were essential to keep Celtic in the title race with the Edinburgh side seven points in front having played two games more.
For 81 minutes at St Andrews it looked like the hoops were going to draw a blank as Dundee United defended resolutely with Kennedy’s side struggling to impose themselves.
The biting wind did neither side any favours but as Watt picked up the ball in his own half the game was about to change. Pushing himself past three or four meaty challenges the 18-year-old suddenly found himself facing the United goal.
When his shot was blocked it looked like another chance gone but Joe Chalmers crossed the ball back into the box with Watt picking his spot to nod the ball back across the keeper into the net.
“I don’t know if the goal was always coming,” Kennedy smiled. “It was one of those games where we missed a few chances and maybe we were starting to think that it wasn’t going to happen.
“It was a great run from Tony that lead to the goal then he got on the end of the cross afterwards. Tony has a lot to offer and is a real handful for any defence that he plays against.
“He has pace, he’s strong and has the ability to make punishing runs, he did really well for the goal.
“Sometimes he’s hard on himself, he’s a confidence player. It’s important that he keeps working hard, sometimes he gets a bit down when things don’t break his way but nothing comes to you easily in this game.
“When things go against him it’s important that he keeps working away because he’ll be a handful for any team.”
Kennedy added: “When you win leagues and cups there are times when you don’t play as well as you’d like but the result is very important. It keeps the pressure on Hearts, we need to take each game on it’s own merits and collect the points.”
CLICK HERE for SPL block transfer of Daniel Cousin
CLICK HERE for SFA finally launch Rangers enquiry
Follow Video Celts on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
