Celtic secured a late 2-1 win over Kilmarnock amid fan protests, while Rangers’ board is backing manager Russell Martin despite fan anger after a loss to Hearts. Kelechi Iheanacho’s debut goal secured the victory for Celtic, as Rangers are facing increased pressure after a poor start to the season.
In a dramatic turn of events in the Scottish Premiership, Celtic secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock, thanks to a last-minute penalty from debutant Kelechi Iheanacho. The win, however, was overshadowed by fan protests expressing discontent with the club's recent performance and transfer activity. Meanwhile, across Glasgow, Rangers are standing by their manager, Russell Martin, despite growing fan frustration following a home defeat to Hearts.
The match at Rugby Park saw Celtic supporters staging a protest by boycotting the first 12 minutes of the game. This action stemmed from dissatisfaction over the club's failure to strengthen the squad adequately during the summer transfer window and their subsequent elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Kairat Almaty. While some fans participated in the protest, a significant number chose to enter the stadium and support the team from the start. The first half was uneventful, with neither side able to break the deadlock.
The second half saw Celtic take the lead through Daizen Maeda, who headed home his second goal since April. However, Kilmarnock responded late in the game, with David Watson leveling the score in the 83rd minute. As the match appeared to be heading for a draw, Celtic were awarded a penalty in added time after a shot from substitute James Forrest was ruled to have been handled by Lewis Mayo. Iheanacho stepped up and converted the penalty, securing a vital win for Celtic and sending their fans into raptures. Despite the victory, the "sack the board" chants and banners from the away end, highlighted the deep-seated issues between the fans and club management.
Across the city, Rangers are facing their own challenges. A 2-0 home defeat to Hearts on Saturday has intensified the pressure on manager Russell Martin, with fans calling for his dismissal. The loss marked Rangers' worst start to a league campaign in 47 years, leaving them in 10th place in the table. Frustrated fans voiced their anger throughout the game, chanting against Martin and expressing their disappointment with the team's performance.
Despite the growing discontent among the Rangers supporters, the club's board is understood to be backing Martin. The manager, when questioned about his future after the Hearts game, firmly stated that he would not resign. He acknowledged the fans' right to express their opinions, stating, "They’re entitled to their opinion, so I can’t come out here and criticise that. The fans are always entitled to their opinion."
Rangers' poor form has seen them win only three of Martin's 12 games in charge, including a heavy defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League qualifiers. The board's decision to stand by Martin suggests they believe he can turn things around. Martin will now prepare his team for the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Hibernian next Saturday, a game that could be crucial in determining his future at the club.
The situation at both Celtic and Rangers highlights the intense pressure and scrutiny faced by managers and boards in Scottish football. While Celtic managed to secure a late victory amidst fan protests, Rangers are battling to regain the trust of their supporters and turn their season around. The coming weeks will be critical for both clubs as they navigate these challenges and strive for success in the Scottish Premiership.