Celtic star insists gritty Kilmarnock win 'a big measuring stick' of champions improvement this season

Kasper Schmeichel reckons Celtic’s ability to grind out maximum points against an impressive Kilmarnock side at the end of another gruelling week should be used as a “measuring stick” for how far they’ve progressed this season.

The Hoops returned to the Scottish Premiership summit on goal difference after strikes from Callum McGregor and Nicolas Kuhn ensured the defending champions maintained their unbeaten league start in a gripping contest at Rugby Park.

Following a 6-0 League Cup semi-final rout of Aberdeen last weekend and the levels they hit in Tuesday’s 3-1 Champions League win over RB Leipzig, Brendan Rodgers’ side allowed their performance level to dip slightly in Ayrshire. This was a far from comfortable afternoon, but they still managed to get over the line.

For goalkeeper Schmeichel - who made a string of important saves to record another clean sheet on his busiest outing in over a decade - the result spoke volumes about his team mates mentality.

He told Sky Sports: “It's always going to be difficult coming away on the back of a semi-final and the Champions League. So, I think this was, for us, a big measuring stick of how far we've come. Because it's a tough pitch, it's a difficult game. You know what they're going to bring. To come away with a win and a clean sheet is even better.

“I mean, with all due respect, anyone can get themselves up for a Champions League game. But coming away from home on a difficult afternoon, on difficult pitch up against an opponent that wants to pressure you, wants to be very, very physical, can you stand up to it? I thought we did really well.”

Meanwhile, goal scorer McGregor revealed it wasn’t his intention score from a floated cross on the stroke of half-time. The Celtic skipper looked to pick out Adam Idah at the back post but his delivery narrowly evaded the striker and caught Kilmarnock goalkeeper Robby McCrorie out.

“It was probably more of a cross,” he admitted. “The big man made a nice little action when he pulled off and I just tried to stick it on his toe. As soon as I hit it, I thought it had a bit of a chance. If he didn't get it, then it might bounce in.

“On the Astro as well, the bounce is difficult for the goalkeeper. So it was just nice to see it go in. Whether it was me or Adam, the squad, it didn't really matter. It's just about the team. and again another three points, which is excellent.”