Celtic showed no sign of a Champions League hangover as they returned to domestic duties at home to Kilmarnock.
Pedro’s 95th minute goal for Lazio hung in the air alongside the torrential rain but although Kyogo Furuhashi’s fifth minute effort was rightly disallowed for offside it was a signal of Celtic’s intent.
There was a sharpness about Celtic’s early play that took advantage of the conditions, in the 22nd minute Reo Hatate showed great confidence and touch to drive forward 20 yards then clip in the opener from the edge of the penalty box.
? Celtic extended their lead at the top to seven points with a 3-1 home win over Kilmarnock ? pic.twitter.com/rNwmDlVOO8
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 7, 2023
Celtic’s second goal kicked up some VAR ‘controversy’ but the replay showed a touch from Stuart Findlay before the ball struck Hatate and rebounded to Luis Palma which killed the controversy stone dead.
Palma finished well, celebrated wildly then experienced the relief of a VAR decision in his favour.
There was no VAR on hand to check out Kilmarnock’s goal in the 70th minute when Greg Taylor was fouled and left out of position, fortunately the former Killie defender popped up in the 83rd minute to score from a corner to restore Celtic’s two goal lead and secure a seven point lead at the top of the Premiership table.
