Martin O'Neill says everyone at Celtic retains confidence in striker Kasper Hogh, despite his goal drought extending to 16 games following their 1-0 win over Kilmarnock.

Liam Scales' 26th-minute strike proved decisive as the Hoops moved four points clear of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

Benjamin Nygren saw a penalty saved by Nico Mantl in the second half, but that ultimately did not prove costly as Celtic won their ninth consecutive league meeting with Kilmarnock, their longest winning streak against them since April 2007 (the end of a 16-match run).

But it was another frustrating day for the club's record signing Hogh, who arrived from Bodo/Glimt in an £11m deal in July and has only scored three goals for the club – netting a hat-trick against Kilmarnock when the teams previously met in August.

Since then, the Dane has failed to net in 16 outings for the Glasgow giants, though he did have a goal disallowed for offside on Sunday, and O'Neill is certain things will change for him soon.

"I thought Kasper was off the mark for about 35 seconds," O'Neill said. "I think he would maybe have scored the next chance if the first had counted, but he worked really hard.

"In front of goal, it's been difficult, but he worked exceptionally hard, as he did on Thursday. Things will come. He thought he'd broken the spell. His hold-up play is much better now.

"If you have the crowd behind you and they feel as if you're working hard, then they'll forgive other things.

"It won't last forever, strikers live and die by their goals, but he feels we all believe in him in the dressing room, which is very encouraging."

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Nygren's missed penalty came shortly after Hogh was substituted, but O'Neill would not have asked the Dane to take the spot-kick if he was still on the pitch. 

"I wouldn't have asked him to take it," O'Neill added. "He might have missed – although we missed it anyway."

Celtic host St. Mirren in their first game back from the international break on November 21, with a Europa League trip to Torreense to come five days later.