Why Kasper Hogh would not have taken Celtic penalty as Mika Baur injury addressed

Martin O’Neill admitted he would not have let Kasper Hogh take a second half penalty that Benjamin Nygren ended up failing to score in any case as Celtic squeezed past Kilmarnock at Parkhead.

The striker’s goal drought was extended to 16 games and he’s still to open his account at home for his new club. Defender Liam Scales was the match winner after converting a cross from Camilo Dusan in the 25th minute.

Hogh had earlier endured the heartbreak of seeing a goal chalked off for a foul committed earlier in the move by Mika Baur and he snatched at a chance shortly afterwards when one-on-one with Kilmarnock ‘keeper Nico Mantl.

Celtic's Kasper Hogh (L) and manager Martin O'Neill during the 1-0 win over Kilmarnock. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group

Hogh worked hard and was named man-of-the-match but was replaced after 70 minutes. Celtic were awarded a penalty shortly afterwards and many Celtic fans lamented Hogh not still being on the pitch to take it. However, O’Neill confirmed this wouldn’t have happened even if he had been available.

Nygren duly saw Mantl make an excellent save from his effort from 12 yards to keep Kilmarnock in the game. The visitors came close to equalising right at the death when Ieuan Owen failed to connect with a cross right in front of goal.

“We all thought Kasper had got off the mark,” said O’Neill, with reference to the goal that wasn’t. “We all thought that for about 35 seconds. I think myself that maybe he would have scored the next one had the first one counted but he worked exceptionally hard for us. I was pleased the team dug it out.

“We got the penalty but had he still been on the pitch I would not have asked him to take it. He might have missed. As it turned out, we did miss.

“In front of goal, it is proving a difficult one for him,” O'Neill added. “But he has worked exceptionally hard in the game, as he did on Thursday night (v Besiktas). I think things will come, honestly. He thought he had broken the spell but his hold up play was much, much better.”

Hogh received a warm ovation when he was replaced after 70 minutes by James Forrest. “I think that’s encouraging,” said O’Neill. “If you have the crowd behind you, if you’re working hard, they will forgive some other things. Now I am not saying that will last forever….Of course strikers live and die by their goals. But he feels we all believe in him in the dressing room, that’s encouraging for him.”

O’Neill stressed he had not seen a replay of the incident involving Baur that meant Hogh’s goal after 13 minutes was ruled off after a VAR check. Referee John Beaton was called to the monitor and he very abruptly signalled he was disallowing the strike.

“I have genuinely not seen it back because the little screen we have on the touchline is too small for me,” he said. “I can only go with what the lads were saying, they thought it was touch and go.”

O’Neill also revealed that Baur, who limped off near the end, had suffered ankle damage and has been booked in for a scan. The midfielder is due to join up with the Germany Under-21s in the international break.

“He’s in the treatment room,” he said. “His ankle is really sore and we don’t know the damage. We’ll wait until tomorrow to get a scan. Gosh, I’d hope he won’t be out terribly long but I don't know at the moment. He’s been great for us considering he’s not the tallest. He’d be about ten stone maybe not even that but his work rate is incredible. His overall reading of the game is really good and he’s not frightened.”