Steve Clarke offered a refreshingly blunt assessment of Celtic’s dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Kilmarnock — admitting they may not have merited the victory, but praising the ruthless trait that separates champions from the rest.
Celtic looked dead and buried at half-time at Rugby Park.
Two goals down. Outplayed. Disjointed.
Kilmarnock had executed their game plan perfectly, punishing defensive uncertainty and capitalising on transitions. For long spells in the opening 45 minutes, Celtic appeared rattled and short of ideas.
Yet, as has become a theme this season, the story didn’t end there.
Second-half changes injected urgency. The tempo increased. The pressure mounted.
Sebastian Tounekti’s long-range strike reignited belief. Benjamin Nygren dragged Celtic level. And in the 97th minute, Julian Araujo smashed home the winner that sent the away end into chaos.
After the match, Clarke summed it up with striking honesty:
“Do they deserve to win that game today? Probably not, but that’s what champions do.”
have been controlled. But when the decisive moment arrived, they seized it.
And in a title race that could be decided by the finest of margins, those gritty, uncomfortable victories often matter more than dominant displays.
Clarke’s words weren’t controversial.
They were a warning.
Because if Celtic can take three points on a day they “probably” didn’t deserve to win, what happens when they actually play well?