Celtic fans had plenty of their own heroes doing the business at Parkhead last night, but over in Ayrshire a new one emerged at the same time.
Those inside Parkhead will have been buoyed further by the cheers that seemed to be coming out of nowhere against Hearts. Stephen O’Donnell’s equaliser for Kilmarnock against Rangers brought the first one, before Eamonn Brophy bagged an incredible last-minute winner to send Parkhead into delight once again.
This isn’t the first time that Brophy has done Celtic a real favour either. Last year after the winter break it was Brophy who was at it again against Rangers to swing the title initiative back in our favour. This time around he’s provided the pathway to a 10-point cushion over our rivals.
And it’s fair to say he was the toast of many Celtic fans last night on Twitter. Here’s a look at some of the reaction to the Killie forward:
https://twitter.com/Jayc67x/status/1227711463009243137
https://twitter.com/kingHenrik97/status/1227707878707994625
https://twitter.com/rrrrogan/status/1227707162954289164
https://twitter.com/giiibbo/status/1227714397897973760
Brophy’s Celtic background makes it all the sweeter
There is a bit of further joy to take from the fact that Killie’s goalscorers last night were O’Donnell and Brophy. Both men, after all, came through the Celtic youth system.
O’Donnell left Parkhead for Partick Thistle in 2011 after being released. The same could be said for Brophy, who spent much of his boys days with the Hoops. He left to join the Hibs academy system after being released before eventually managing his breakthrough with Hamilton.
Granted, we all know that the first thing on both players’ minds wasn’t that they had done Celtic a favour last night. They’ll have been buzzing to simply have helped provide their club with another famous win against Rangers. However, when Brophy slammed home that winner last night, you’re not telling us the title-race wasn’t in the back of his mind either.
Brophy also has three goals against Celtic to his name in his career too. He’s bagged strikes against us for both Hamilton and Kilmarnock respectively. His goal against us for Killie came earlier on this season at Celtic Park in a 3-1 win for the Bhoys.
Valentine’s Day may be on Friday, but Brophy certainly gave us his gift early. You can’t deny the significance of what happened last night, but that’ll only be the case if we power on and continue to be relentless ourselves.
Celtic next travel to Aberdeen on Sunday looking to consolidate their position at the top of the Premiership. And we do so knowing that we owe one big thank you to O’Donnell and Brophy.
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