Jozo Simunovic backed up his pre-match promise by scoring a fairytale winner on the day Celtic said an Tributes pour in for Celtic legend Billy McNeill.
The Croatian defender, who wearing the legend’s famous No.5, scored with 67 minutes on the clock.
Simunovic chose a fitting time to open his account for the season just as he predicted he might.
The centre-back’s effort settled a stuffy affair and finally downed a Kilmarnock team who now have Hibs breathing down their necks in the race for fourth spot and a potential place in the Europa League next term.
Hail Cesar - a tribute to Celtic's greatest ever captain Billy McNeill
Steve Clarke’s men were strong before the break, but Celtic just about did enough after the interval to earn the win which leaves them just a single point from an eighth successive title.
It was a day of smiles and tears as the club celebrated the life of their greatest-ever captain with a 67-second round of applause before a contest which was more about battling qualities than Lisbon Lions-esque brilliance.
Tom Rogic shot over early doors before Killie had a 20 minute spell which threatened.
Chris Burke had a glorious opportunity which he didn’t take allowing Scott Bain to make a crucial save and Stephen O’Donnell wanted a penalty when nudged in the box by Scott Brown.
Visiting attackers Liam Miller and Conor McAleny also forced a strong stops from the home No.1 as Celtic looked uncomfortable.
Tributes pour in for Celtic legend Billy McNeill
Rogic had another effort over and Mikael Lustig hit a half-volley straight and keeper Dan Bachmann, but the stalemate remained until the restart and it was a real struggle for the hosts.
Such was the confusion that one Lustig’s pass across the defence when intended receiver Emilio Izaguirre was even't looking allowed Burke to force another save from Bain.
Odsonne Edouard curled wide and couldn’t turn home a return pass from Rogic, but the breakthrough came midway through the second period and the strike proved the winner.
Callum McGregor hung a cross to the far post and Simunovic rose to nod down into the near post and provide the most-fantastic tribute to McNeill.
