Celtic restore four-point Premiership lead with narrow win against Kilmarnock

Report as Celtic beat Kilmarnock 1-0 to restore their four-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership; Liam Scales scored after Kasper Hogh's opener was disallowed; Benjamin Nygren missed a penalty; Kilmarnock are bottom of the table

Celtic restored their four-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a narrow win against struggling Kilmarnock.

Liam Scales hooked Camilo Duran cross into the top corner in the 26th minute as they head into the international break after back-to-back wins.

Celtic - and Kasper Hogh in particular - otherwise had a frustrating day in front of goal, with Benjamin Nygren missing a second-half penalty.

After a silence for Remembrance Sunday was cut short after boos from the stands, Kilmarnock came close.

Tom Lowery forced Celtic goalkeeper Sam Johnstone into a double save before Hogh saw an early goal ruled out as his goalless run extended to 16 games, having last found the net with a hat-trick against Kilmarnock on his second appearance.

The Danish striker finished from seven yards after being set up by Nygren and ran to the standing section to celebrate.

His joy was short-lived as referee John Beaton was summoned to the monitor and gave a free-kick to Killie for Mika Baur's challenge on Greg Kiltie.

Killie had some good first-half chances and Celtic could not get the two-goal cushion in a dominant second half.

The champions were nearly made to pay in stoppage time, but Ieuan Owen could not make any contact with Erik Ring's inviting cross inside the six-yard box.

The Rugby Park side are bottom of the table heading into the break, winless in their last four games.

1: SAVE! Sam Johnstone is called into action early. He gets down to save Tom Lowery's first effort, then reacts quickly to deny him again.

13: GOAL CELTIC! Kasper Hogh breaks the deadlock, but referee John Beaton is called to the monitor.

15: NO GOAL! Hugh's strike is ruled out for Mika Baur's foul on Greg Kiltie in the build-up.

26: GOAL CELTIC! Camilo Duran sends the ball into the box, Liam Scales sticks out his leg and the ball loops into the net.

28: SAVE! Michael Schjonning-Larsen has a go from distance, but Johnstone pushes it clear.

51: CLOSE! Colby Donovan is just inches from doubling Celtic's lead.

53: SAVE! Duran's curling effort from outside the box is saved by Nico Mantl.

57: OVER! Hogh's powerful strike from just inside the box flies over the bar.

75: PENALTY TO CELTIC! Replays show the ball hit Aaron Tshibola's arm and the referee points to the spot.

76: PENALTY MISSED! Benjamin Nygren steps up but his shot is saved by Mantl.

90+1: CLOSE! Erik Ring sends in a low ball and Ieuan Owen is inches away from knocking it in.

"Sam Johnstone pulled us out in the first minute of the game with a great double save.

"Like everything else, I think any manager would say about his team, of course. There's things that we can definitely do much, much better. But overall, delighted.

"Delighted with the effort that they put in because we've been going now. We've been going mid-week, weekend, mid-week, weekend.

"It's been tough, tough on us really, but that's what you try to do.

"You're in the game to try and compete in European football if you can and then obviously keep an eye on domestic things at the same time.

"I thought the boys deserved to take something from the game.

"Disappointed with the nature of the goal, again, that we can see, but so many good things to take from today. The chances at either side of the match, early in the match we probably had two or three and then right at the death there.

"There's been a wee bit of a narrative going around that this team's under pressure and I know they are playing under pressure a wee bit, because we're not getting results that I believe that our performances have deserved. But they come here and they played with bravery to get the ball down, play the way we want to play, still have a threat over the top that we need to have.

"It tells me how much they're developing as a team, that they're in the dressing room disappointed, looking like they've taken nothing from the game, because I think they did deserve it.

"We want to come and get something from the game. I feel that the boys probably deserved it and a balance of play, but so much to like and so much to look forward to after our national break."