It was a tense affair as the champions picked up all the three points against the rock bottom side

Celtic 1 (Scales) Kilmarnock 0

Kasper Hogh finally got the chance to perform his trademark peacock feathers celebration – only for VAR to leave him plucked seconds later.

The Celtic striker’s goal wait goes on but the Hoops still had enough to see off Kilmarnock to restore their four-point lead at the top of the Premiership.

Liam Scales notched his third goal of the season – to match Hogh’s tally for the term – after the frontman had his big moment ruined when video chiefs clocked a foul by Mika Baur in the build up.

And it was sod’s law Celts the frontman was off the pitch when VAR clocked an Aaron Tshibola handball and Benjamin Nygren’s spot kick was superbly saved by Nico Mantl.

Celtic huffed and puffed in a fairly forgettable 90 minutes that were far harder work than O’Neill would have liked.

But it was three points going into the international break and a chance for some weary Hoops to stick the feet up following a gruelling run of games.

Kilmarnock were pretty plucky – and it might’ve been a different story after their lightening start.

The Green Brigade stayed outside for the aborted Remembrance Sunday minute’s silence – and nearly walked into an opening Killie goal.

Tom Lowery was picked out by Ieuan Owen at the back post inside 40 seconds but keeper Sam Johnstone made a brilliant double block.

Hogh thought he’d given Celts a lead – and ended his goal drought – when he buried after a neat move involving Mika Bauer, Duran and Nygren.

But VAR chiefs spotted a nudge on Greg Kiltie from Baur in the build-up. It looked soft as a feather but ref John Beatenwas convinced after a quick peek.

Martin O’Neill fumed but his side’s opener did arrive soon after when Scales stretched out a let to get on the end of Duran’s cute cross to loop his volley high into the net.

Colby Donovan and Duran went close early in the second half but Killie hung on and posed the odd threat.

Baur nicked in behind to find the net only for the flag to shoot up for offside before Hogh was denied again by a frantic late block.

Nygren fluffed his chance to make it comfortable when VAR stepped in again, leading to some late flapping before Celts saw it out.

Here are Record Sport's big talking points…

WELCOME BREAK

O’Neill spent the last international lay-off thinking about his future. This time he will be considering his options on the pitch.

It looked like the manager was having a serious wobble after the Falkirk defeat but a couple of wins this week has steadied the ship.

Victory against Besiktas was a much-needed boost and another three points here was probably all that mattered on the back of European graft.

It was more solid than sparkling here. In truth it was a bit of a slog.

But O’Neill is starting to get some more options with Jota building fitness and Yang Hyun-jun back.

The Hoops gaffer will want his side to be slicker when they get back though.

KASPER HOODOO

Celtic’s no.9 must feel like he’s cursed. It’s now 16 games without a goal for the Dane and he even had the torture of thinking he’d ended the drought before VAR wrecked his celebrations.

In fairness to Hogh, he worked hard and was selfless with a lot of his play. He perhaps should have been sharper with an opportunity not long after the ruled out effort.

In the main he put himself about and his link up play was decent – but not much is going his way.

He would have fancied a crack from the penalty spot as well – but he had already been subbed when it was awarded.

Hogh isn’t hiding though and he got a warm response when he went off – he just desperately needs to hit the back of the net.

MIKA POWER

It said a lot about Celtic’s late window shopping that Sam Johnstone was the only one of the six signings who was in the squad here and only three summer recruits started.

Hogh and Duran have hogged the headlines but Baur is really starting to make an impression.

The little German has been in superb form and was top class against Killie. The disallowed goal for his foul was pretty harsh, but he had no complaints when an effort of his own was flagged off.

He was involved in everything though, picking his passed perfectly and diving Celts forward. It’a tough gig as he is the one who has to win the ball high up the pitch as well as dictating the play, but it doesn’t look beyond him.

Baur is a player and Celts will be praying his sore one a the end isn’t serious.

HE’S A KEEPER

It was a bit of a ropey start for Sam Johnstone with the jittery display at Ibrox a few months ago.

But there are signs the on-loan Wolves keeper is beginning to find his feet between the sticks for Celts.

He made a brilliant point-blank save in the first minute and then got up to keep out the rebound.

There was another smart stop from Michael Schjonning-Larsen from long range and he just looked far more comfortable in general.

KIL JOYS

It’s been a rough season for Kilmarnock so far and while the league table doesn’t lie, it can tell a few fibs now and again.

McCann’s men are bottom but this one was always going to be a free hit and the boss can take some heart from the display.

It was a bold move going with three strikers on the pitch but it did give Celtic plenty to think about.

They created chances and looked much more resilient at the back than they have done in recent months.

It’s the defensive problems that have held Killie back this term but if they can dig in like they did at Parkhead, some brighter times might be ahead.