Celtic stretch their lead at the top of the SPFL Premiership

Celtic grafted their way to a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock to open up a 12 point lead at the top of the SPFL Premiership.

The hoops made heavy weather of the first half but broke the deadlock in the 44^th minute when Jota raced into the six yard box to get a touch on a Daizen Maeda cut back ahead of Sam Walker in the Killie goal.

Five minutes into the second half the lead was doubled with a similar goal when Ash Taylor diverted a low cross past his own keeper as he concentrated on the movement of Kyogo.

The second half was much livelier with the hoops hitting the woodwork four times in the last 10 minutes with Giorgos Giakoumakis denied twice followed quickly by James Forrest and Matt O’Riley.

Both sides go at it again next Saturday at Hampden in the semi-final of the League Cup with Ange Postecoglou’s side strong favourites to return for the final next month.