Celtic 2-0 Kilmarnock: Win eases pressure on Neil Lennon

Shane Duffy admits he deserved to be dropped and "hasn't been good enough" for Celtic as he celebrated his return to the team by scoring the clincher in victory over Kilmarnock.

A Mohamed Elyounoussi strike and Duffy header gave Celtic a first win in three Scottish Premiership games to earn boss Neil Lennon further breathing space.

Lennon's side go second, 13 points behind Rangers with two games in hand.

"The gaffer has been brilliant with me," said centre-back Duffy.

"I actually felt he took me out of the team at the right time because my form wasn't good. But I know I can come back stronger."

The on-loan Brighton defender, who sat out six games before being restored for Thursday's Europa League win over Lille, added: "I watched the team from the sidelines and have seen what I could learn.

"The Celtic fans haven't seen me before and since I've come into the club I haven't been me. I get them, I understand the criticism. I wouldn't be happy with myself either if I was watching me play."

• Reaction & as it happened

After two wins from 12 in a calamitous run, Celtic have now secured back-to-back victories for the first time in 10 weeks.

Kilmarnock remain eighth - four points off the bottom - after a fifth Premiership defeat in six.

Lennon's show of faith in the fringe men who impressed against Lille meant defender Duffy, goalkeeper Conor Hazard, midfielder Ismaila Soro and forward David Turnbull all kept their places.

That victory had spared Lennon from the fans' ire this time, with the board the focus of a pre-match protest as hundreds of supporters gathered outside Celtic Park.

Despite Turnbull's best efforts, Celtic's recent failings were again evident in a listless opening 45 minutes. Danny Rogers superbly tipped over a head flick from Christopher Jullien and Odsonne Edouard sent a snap-shot wide as Lennon's side stuttered in attack.

But Kilmarnock were left powerless as the hosts cranked up the ante after the restart. Elyounoussi fired straight at Rogers before Jeremie Frimpong and Edouard forced saves following a swift counter-attack.

Duffy was next to threaten, but his free header from a set-piece followed the trend of being straight at the keeper, and Edouard somehow failed to convert Callum McGregor's driven cross from close range.

Kilmarnock were creaking and the pressure told just before the hour when Elyounoussi's low drive from the edge of the box diverted off sliding defender Aaron McGowan to wrong-foot Rogers.

Turnbull had a drive deflected wide before his corner helped give Celtic the comfort of a two-goal margin as Duffy's header thudded low past Rogers.

Kilmarnock ought to have halved the deficit when a set-piece fell at the feet of Nicke Kabamba six yards out, but he could only poke into the hands of Hazard.

That was a fleeting break from Celtic pressure as substitute Ryan Christie screwed a volley off target and Duffy almost doubled his tally with a glancing header.

Man of the match - David Turnbull

Another start and another assist for the Scotland Under-21 forward whose dynamism again stood out

What did we learn?

After the "baby steps" of victory over Lille, Lennon's Celtic continued to inch in the right direction but still have plenty of convincing to do.

And a first clean sheet in nine games - while owing much to Kilmarnock's lack of cutting edge - boosts the confidence of a Celtic defence whose deficiencies have been laid bare in recent weeks.

Kilmarnock were far too meek against a team who have been beset by crisis. The visitors failed to exert any meaningful pressure and their total of one goal in six games - five of which were defeats - sums up their problems.

What did they say?

Celtic manager Neil Lennon: "That was a lot better. It was a good all-round team performance. Dominant really, we looked strong.

"The last few games here we've been a bit anxious. There was none of that today. I'm just disappointed we didn't win by more."

Kilmarnock manager Alex Dyer: "We were well organised in the first half but it went the opposite way after half-time. We could have been 4-0 down after the first 10 minutes of the second half, easy.

"It's a mental game and we were weak in the second half. We didn't show personality or character."

What's next?

Celtic bid to make history by completing the quadruple treble at Hampden next Sunday when they face Hearts in last season's delayed Scottish Cup final (14:15 GMT).

Kilmarnock are on Premiership duty earlier in the day when they host Aberdeen (12:00).