Celtic go 12 points clear ahead of Rangers in Premiership with win over Kilmarnock

Celtic beat Kilmarnock 2-0 to move 12 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Jota and Kyogo scored the goals as the champions eased to another three points that increases their lead over Rangers for at least 24 hours.

The Ayrshire club had their goalkeeper to thank that the score was only two as the home side dominated the game from start to finish, also hitting the woodwork on four occasions.

Joe Hart on the other hand never had a save to make as Kilmarnock failed to register a single shot on target.

Celtic first had the ball in the net just on the 40 minute mark when Kyogo’s goal was ruled out after Jota strayed offside before putting crossing it in for the Japan international.

But the opener was to come shortly after when the Portuguese winger put the Hoops 1-0 up on the stroke of half-time.

And the second-half was only five minutes old when Kyogo, who was recently named Player of the Month for December, doubled the lead and made it 2-0 after a pinpoint cross from Reo Hatate.

Ange Postecoglou’s side continued to dominate the game with Maeda, Kyogo and Giakoumakis all coming close to making it 3-0 in the second 45.

Kilmarnock goalkeeper Sam Walker made a great save to deny Giakoumakis who came close with a powerful header with ten minutes to go.

The Greek forward, who was brought on after an hour, looked hungry for a goal and hit the woodwork again with a deflected shot two minutes later.

Walker came to the rescue to again to deny Forrest from point-blank range before the veteran winger hit the post from the rebound.

With the game in injury time Matt O’Riley twice came close to scoring his first goal of the season when the woodwork was again the difference after Walker’s save.

The whistle blew for full time and confirmed an increased points advantage over Rangers who play Dundee United at Tannadice on Sunday.