Brendan Rodgers forecasted that Kelechi Iheanacho will persist in demonstrating his ability as a crucial player in significant matches after his late penalty led Celtic to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Rugby Park.

On the brink of dropping two points following David Watson’s equalizer to Daizen Maeda’s initial goal, the visitors were given a contentious penalty deep into stoppage time when referee John Beaton retrospectively determined that Lewis Mayo’s handball warranted a penalty.

With primary penalty taker Arne Engels absent, substitute Iheanacho confidently dispatched the ball from 12 yards during his debut and jubilantly ran into the celebrating Celtic fans.

‘I was really pleased for Kels,’ commented Rodgers. ‘I think the last penalty he executed was for me at Wembley when we defeated Man City in the Community Shield, and he buried that one with ease.

‘I think that’s a big moment for him, with the supporters and everything else.

‘He’s got big moments in him, and once he gets fitter, he’s only going to get better.

‘Our assigned penalty taker was not on the pitch. Benji (Nygren) expressed interest, but my directive was for Kels to handle it. I trust in the confidence he exudes and also recognize what scoring will do for him.

‘I’m delighted for him and for the team because it’s been a long couple of weeks. It’s a big win for us.’

Despite the controversial nature of the victory, Rodgers felt his side were deserving of the three points.

‘It was exceptionally close,’ he admitted. ‘We were somewhat sluggish. There are numerous new players arriving, and the synergy perhaps wasn’t quite there yet. However, in the second half, once we commenced feeding the wide players faster and advancing across the field more swiftly, we were truly dominant.

‘We deserved to go in front and then looked like we could go on and add maybe another goal. But at 1-0, it’s never signed off.

‘We concede from the corner.

That gives them a little bit of momentum. So, then we have to really show our resilience.’

Rodgers had a degree of sympathy with his opposite number, Stuart Kettlewell over the award of the penalty.

‘If you’re the home team and you get that going against you, then of course you may not be so happy,’ he said.

‘For myself, we create the chaos in the box, create the opportunity, and then we get that moment where it does pop up and it’s in on its way, maybe into goal, I don’t know. But it’s certainly (handball) on the only one image I’ve seen. It pops up and hits his arm.’

Kettlewell claimed he was at a loss to understand why the penalty was awarded. Still stunned his side didn’t claim a point, the Kilmarnock boss claimed the award contradicted everything he’d been told in pre-season meetings with the SFA.

‘We might as well cut to the chase, 96 minutes by the time the penalty is taken. I need a question answered,’ he said.

‘We attend meetings, we spend all this time talking about rules. If the ball hits up at such close proximity and the ball is not going into the net, I was told they weren’t going to give them as penalties.

‘I need to watch what I’m saying before they start throwing out sanctions or match bans.

‘I’m immensely proud of the players. But I need somebody to answer that question.

‘I’ll make the phone call tomorrow to find out why that’s been given as a penalty based on what I’ve been told at the start of the season.’

Kettlewell said he didn’t even look for a replay of the incident initially as he felt sure no infringement had taken place.

He added: ‘I rely on four guys that sit behind me I trust implicitly and every one of them had said “no, we’re alright because of the rule”.

‘So, I didn’t even go and have a look myself. I looked after the penalty was given and awarded, but that was curiosity.’

Immediately after the match, the SFA explained the reason behind the decision, stating: ‘The penalty was awarded for handball by the Kilmarnock defender whose arm is in an unnatural position. A deflection doesn’t always negate a handball offence. He doesn’t know where the ball is going and his arm is up in an unnatural position to block a shot.’

On a day that the vast majority of visiting supporters remained outside the ground for kick-off in protest at the way the club is being run, Rodgers felt his side showed immense character to deal with a difficult situation.

On the celebrations at full-time, he said: ‘That’s what this club is about, that Celtic spirit that keeps you going right to the very end and it paid off for us.

‘I’m delighted for the players, first and foremost, with all eyes on them today. A lot said and written and talked about, but ultimately, if we get onto the pitch, we can control that.’