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Celtic's 1998 Title Fight Rewind: A Rugby Park Thriller
15 Feb
Summary
- Celtic secured a crucial 1998 title win against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
- Henrik Larsson scored the opener, followed by Alex Burke's equalizer.
- Simon Donnelly's sublime chip sealed the vital victory for Celtic.

In April 1998, Celtic faced Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in a critical league match during their campaign to win their first title in ten years. This victory was essential to prevent Rangers from achieving an unprecedented tenth consecutive league championship.
Rugby Park had been a challenging venue for Celtic, with a previous goalless draw there. The team entered the game with renewed determination after a Scottish Cup semi-final elimination. Henrik Larsson broke the deadlock in the 19th minute with a header. However, Alex Burke leveled for Kilmarnock just before halftime, leaving Celtic deflated.
Following a significant team talk by manager Wim Jansen, Celtic returned for the second half with renewed vigor. Simon Donnelly scored a decisive goal in the 55th minute with a skillful chip over the goalkeeper, following excellent build-up play. This goal, celebrated by the large Celtic support, proved to be the winner, securing three vital points for Celtic's title aspirations.



