It was a nervy first 15 minutes, but once Celtic settled in the Hoops showed why they have started this season unbeaten and don’t show many signs of stopping.
A 2-1 win at Ibrox felt more like a 4-1 result, with Celtic hitting the post a few times and missing a sitter or two as well. Either way, it was full points at the home of second place Sevco.
It also meant Celtic 19 points clear with a game in hand still.
Following a Kenny Miller goal in the 12th minute, it appeared things were going to be difficult for the visitors. A bad play from central defender Eric Sviatchenko allowed Miller to be free for a cross inside the six-yard box and he hit home to give the hosts a lead.
Sevco looked on the front foot for about the next 10 minutes, but eventually Celtic found its legs and began to run the game.
Manager Brendan Rodgers saw plenty to like from his side, including the fight to stave of adversity.
“I’m disappointed probably just to get two goals,” said Rodgers following the game. “But the most pleasing thing of all is how we dealt with the pressure of falling behind in the game. We had talked about that before the match. How to find solutions and how to stay calm.”
No player was more pivotal in that move than midfielder Scott Sinclair. He nearly took the game over single-handily in the final 20 minutes of the first half, but couldn’t find the net. Instead he managed to hit the post with the Bhoys looking to even the score.
However, the rest of the team seemed to take his lead and it felt like a matter of time before the game was evened up. That moment came with Sinclair taking a corner kick in the 33rd minute.
Sinclair’s cross went over the penalty spot and found a waiting Moussa Dembele, who roofed a Goal of the Month candidate to even the score at 1-1.
Even though Leigh Griffiths didn’t get himself in to the match, he made sure to leave his mark on Ibrox — tying a scarf to the goalpost following the 2-1 win over Sevco.
Sinclair and Dembele continued the pressure on the hosts in the final part of the first half, but couldn’t come out with a go-ahead goal to save their lives.
That all changed when Sinclair’s luck finally changed in the second half. After hitting the post, having a few shots narrowly blocked and a few narrowly saved, it was Sinclair’s turn.
He connected on a great cross from Stuart Armstrong and all that effort was put to good use finally.
Celtic held a 2-1 lead in the 70th minute and found itself looking to hold on. Hold on being the key words, as the Bhoys were tested a few times down the stretch.
However, Craig Gordon was more than up to the challenge or two he faced and Sviatchenko made up for his earlier lapse with a timely tackle in the box to save a 1-on-1 opportunity from becoming an equalizer.
The Bhoys survived the final 20 minutes and spent most of the final five playing keep away or earning corners to starve the hosts of the ball in the end.
Celtic’s dominance late led to plenty of empty seats at Ibrox and loads of celebration from the Hoops faithful. It also led to exuberance from Celtic players, including striker Leigh Griffiths, who left a little present around the goalpost.
— Neilly Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (@ngallagher88) December 31, 2016
Call it a great way to end 2016 and start the 2017 calendar year.
With a few weeks off and a trip to Dubai in the offing for the Bhoys, this break will be critical towards keeping up expectations and the unbeaten run to domestic play.
The Bhoys will next see the pitch in a Scottish Cup match against Albion Rovers on Jan. 22.