Neil McCann’s post-match frustration spilled over into a pointed rant about stoppage time, with the Kilmarnock manager questioning the seven minutes added on before Celtic struck their dramatic late winner.
The Rugby Park side had led for long spells and looked on course to take something from the game before Celtic’s late surge turned the contest on its head. McCann, clearly angered by the ending, suggested the amount of added time was excessive.
15th February 2026; Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, Scotland: Scottish Premiership Football, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Callum McGregor of Celtic celebrates after the win
“I’m not quite sure where they get seven minutes from. You just make that up these days,” he told PLZ Sport.
The claim raised eyebrows given the stop-start nature of the second half. There were multiple substitutions, two Celtic goals, prolonged stoppages for treatment and repeated delays as players went to ground. By modern standards, seven minutes felt conservative rather than generous.
Crucially, added time is not a punishment. It is an opportunity.
While Celtic used it to complete their comeback, Kilmarnock had the same window to manage the game, relieve pressure or even score the decisive goal. Instead, the closing stages saw the hosts retreat deeper as Celtic forced the issue.
McCann acknowledged his real frustration lay with his team’s inability to see the match out.
“That’s what I’m most angry about,” he admitted. “The anger comes from not seeing that out and getting at least a point.”
15th February 2026; Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, Scotland: Scottish Premiership Football, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Kilmarnock Manager Neil McCann speaks to the media after the match
Celtic’s late push felt inevitable. Their energy after the break, sparked by substitutions and attacking urgency, pinned Kilmarnock back and shifted momentum decisively toward the away end.
Even McCann conceded what was coming.
“Clearly Celtic are going to come at us in the second half.”
They did. And they did not stop.
Stoppage time became the focal point of the aftermath, but the broader picture was Celtic’s persistence and belief. When pressure mounted and the game entered its final seconds, Martin O’Neill’s side continued to push for the decisive moment.
They found it.
Seven minutes did not win the game. Celtic’s refusal to accept anything less than victory did.
