SPL: Kilmarnock 0 Celtic 2

Celtic moved to within a point of first-placed Rangers in the Scottish Premier League after a hard-fought 2-0 win over Kilmarnock on Sunday.

It took Neil Lennon’s side until the end of the first half to finally break the deadlock through Scott Brown and winger Kris Commons guaranteed the points in the 68th minute, keeping the pressure on Rangers with two games remaining.

Both sides had early chances but it was Celtic who found the net after 19 minutes when striker Gary Hooper nodded in from close range, only for his goal to be disallowed for offside.

It was one of two times the Hoops were denied by the assistant referee in the first half after the flag was again raised when Commons poked home later.

But Brown eventually gave Celtic a deserved lead on the stroke of half time when he headed home after teenage midfielder James Forrest had squared a cross from Irishman Daryl Murphy with a header of his own.

Commons doubled their advantage in brilliant fashion midway through the second half, controlling a pass from Brown before unleashing an unstoppable 25-yard drive into the top corner.

Celtic finish the league season with a home game against Hearts and a trip to Motherwell, while Rangers host Dundee United and travel to Kilmarnock.

Kilmarnock can finish as low as sixth if Motherwell can recover a three-point deficit in the last two games of the season.