KILMARNOCK, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 15: Kilmarnock Head Coach Neil McCann (L) and Celtic's Liam Scales (R) and Kieran Tierney at full time during a William Hill Premiership match between Kilmarnock and Celtic at BBSP Stadium Rugby Park, on February 15, 2026, in Kilmarnock, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Neil McCann has hit out at the decision to play seven minutes stoppage time in his side’s 3-2 defeat from Celtic.
Kilmarnock led 2-0 at half time and looked on course for their third successive home win.
Celtic made three changes at the break and found themselves back on level terms by the 64th minute.
There were numerous substitutions made during the second period. There was some extensive time wasting as well as two lengthy stoppages for injuries to Kilmarnock players.
STOPPAGE TIME PAIN FOR MCCANN
Dom Thompson was treated for a face knock in the closing 15 minutes with goal-scorer Tyreece John-Jules replaced in the 82nd minute after picking up a muscle injury.
The stoppage time offered both sides the same chance to win the match but Celtic’s 96th minute winner from Julian Araujo decided the points.
After extensive celebrations the final whistle blew in the 98th minute with the visitors celebrating.
The Herald reports McCann saying:
I’m not quite sure where they get seven minutes from. They seem to just make that up these days. But nonetheless, we still have to manage them, and that’s what I’m most angry about.
Ultimately, we walked away with nothing, and I believe we deserve something. It’s a waste of time talking to him (the referee) and asking him where it (seven minutes added time) comes from.
As I said, I don’t know how they get to that. I’d love to know how they got to it. I can’t work out. I think John-Jules was maybe a couple of minutes and he came off.
Dom Thompson was down with his head, maybe one and a half, two minutes. I don’t know where he gets seven from. I don’t know.
There seemed nothing exceptional about the stoppage time added today.
Four minutes is fairly standard in any second half. With the match twice held up to allow treatment to Kilmarnock players seven minutes wasn’t exceptional.
Araujo’s late goal gave Celtic full points which seemed highly unlikely when they went in trailing at the break.
O’Neill made three changes at half-time, within 20 minutes Celtic were back on level terms.
With late goals scored in their most recent matches against Dundee and Livingston McCann would have been fearing the inevitable when he saw the board go up for additional time.
Next up for Celtic is a home Europa League match against Stuttgart on Thursday.
After today’s match at Ibrox Celtic slipped back into third place, three points behind leaders Hearts.
With a game in hand over the Edinburgh side the hoops could be back on top once that match is played.
There are however matches at home to Hibs and Ibrox to overcome before Celtic play their ‘spare’ match at Pittodrie.
Neil loves the rule book quotes when trying to explain how we have not been stitched up. Surely he must know how to work out where 7 minutes comes from. Sounds like bitterness and sour grapes from the wee tax dodging git.
You would think that he of all people, considering his approach to counting his income, would be aware, more than most of the term ‘subs’.
Broon wage pokes folks.
Referee was shocking again, two different rules for both teams also Martin must change the defence to have any chance of winning the league, for me I’d try Sinasolo & Athur for the keeper & Scales…….
HH
Anyone gonna ask any questions of how 4 mins added at half time in the Sevco game turned into almost 9 mins?
Nah…we all know it won’t be mentioned, doesn’t fit the narrative.
Just like the stat that SKY put on the screen that Sevco top the table for teams that score goals 75-90+ mins….
You honestly couldn’t mark these kents necks wi a blow torch.
He’s just an angry wee man. The injury time allotted was due to head knocks for his player’s . Get it right up you Neil McCann a moany faced cunt when he gets beat by Celtic.
No mention the blatant handball late in the match!!! We are watching a rigged game.
You see when a ref adds extra minutes, it applies to both sides!
As Sutton said, he was surprised it was only 7 minutes….
Get it right up the wee inverclyde turncoat C*unt !
See Sweep Sweep Sportscene didn’t show the ‘foul’ for The Kilmarnock free kick that hit our bar…
The ‘foul’ where Cal-Mac won the ball…
Almost a very dear ‘honest’ mistake…
They’ll get us yet under Martin !
Come on, he’s only applying the oldest manager’s deflection trick.
Making a loud noise to distract from the fact that his players
bottled it in the second half, throwing away that 2 goal lead – and at home.
It’s all McCann’s got. 🙂
The rules say that 30 seconds can be added for each substitution so in fact the officials could have added more time.
Bang on Hugh a lot of people or peepul like to forget that when it suits plus the rolling about the ground that they started to employ in the second half I love to see that little shit have a meltdown
Ok usually its around 30 seconds for a goal plus 30 seconds or so for substitutions , plus his 2 players were down for a few minutes each BUT can anyone explain what happened with the volleyball type spike that their player did in the first half and why we were not awarded a free kick? Was VAR not watching ?
If mccann needs an arithmetical lesson, on how to add time? I’m happy to tutor him. I challenge him.
It’s only cupla weeks ago the naritive was pens that other teams didn’t get against us then sending offs, now time added,,, mcann+pie gub boyd and their ilk have now will be running with it,,, the usual lackeys in print and bbc will bleed it out there,, deflection and fear will cause that,,,
Two blatant handballs by killie northern irush fckr blatant as could see whete was var nd the unbiased commentators i rest my case hh
It was especially sweet yesterday for a lot of reasons is it me or my paranoia which I have been accused of before but some of the commentators at Celtic games just seem to love to see us getting beat and wee neil (sportscene) McCann going spare about minutes added . It’s a ploy to create a narrative until our next game just my opinion though
The added on time was the same for BOTH teams. So what is McCann complaining about?
Did he not want the t minutes to win the match? What do you think he would be saying if his team had scored the winner? McCann is a HYPOCRITE and a thoroughly detestable excuse for a human being.