Celtic had their 'Special K' to thank for keeping them top of the Scottish Premiership table with a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Brendan Rodgers had Kasper Schmeichel and killer Nicolas Kuhn to thank for guiding the champions home in this one.

Goals by skipper Callum McGregor and Kuhn were enough to seal the deal but it was a superb rearguard action by Danish international Schmeichel that kept Kilmarnock at bay in this one.

The champions almost scored with their first attack. Daizen Maeda galloped down the left and whipped a cross into the box, which dropped for Idah. However, Idah succeeded in only stabbing a poor effort towards the goal which was easily gathered.

Moments later Corrie Ndaba picks up the ball near the halfway line and drives forward, firing low from 25 yards out - but Kasper Schmeichel got down well to beat away.

In the 26th minute, a corner was worked back to Callum McGregor on the edge of the box. He arrowed in an accurate shot but Robby McCrorie was equal to it and tipped it past the post.

It was the hosts who almost snatched the lead on 35 minutes when Reo Hatate needlessly gave away possession in the middle of the field and Killie sliced through the Celtic defence to release Marley Watkins through on goal but his clipped effort came back off the post and Celtic put it behind for a corner.

Just when Kilmarnock thought they would escape at the interval with the scoreline blank, Celtic stung them in first-half injury time.

Celtic skipper Callum McGregor curled in a cross intended for Idah and despite not getting a touch it fooled McCrorie and nestled in the net.

It was a lucky break for Celtic, to say the least.

Kuhn wasted two great chances to make it 2-0 after being teed up both times by Idah. The German winger wanted too much time and saw an effort deflected over before he raced through one-on-one with McCrorie only to hammer a drive straight at the former Rangers shot-stopper.

Schmeichel then produced an outstanding save when he sprung to his left to divert Matty Kennedy's curler past the upright.

It was all over after 70 minutes when a simple long ball allowed Kuhn to slip away from Robbie Deas and he skipped inside David Watson before nonchalantly curling the ball into the bottom corner. It was a touch of class again from Kuhn.

Rodgers won't need to be told of the old football adage: 'Goals win matches, defence wins titles'.

A mixed bag for Celtic striker Adam Idah

The Republic of Ireland international striker got the nod ahead of Kyogo Furuhashi to start this one, and he certainly put himself about in the first 45 minutes. He is a powerful and willing runner, and he always showed and wanted to be involved but his first touch and distribution let him down on many occasions, and he needs to protect the ball better at times. He did play in Kuhn excellently after 50 minutes with a sublime touch and lay-off but the German's effort was deflected over the top. He teed up Kuhn for a one-on-one which he should have scored after the hour mark and McCrorie saved well. The 23-year-old was also the victim of a flailing Joe Wright elbow which caught Idah flush the face during an aerial duel after 10 minutes and saw the Kilmarnock player booked. It was Idah who looked to have got a vital touch to McGregor's cross for the opener but it travelled straight into the net deceiving Killie No.1 McCrorie in the process.

Kasper Schmeichel is still a boss between the sticks

The Great Dane at 38 flung himself around like a teenager and it's easy to see why Rodgers wanted him at the club. He produced a string of decent saves to continually thwart the Kilmarnock attack and the woodwork came to the rescue when he was beaten by Watkins. He produced an outstanding one-handed stop from Matty Kennedy when he dived low down to the left which had to be seen to be believed. A cool, confident customer his shot-stopping is second to none. His presence alone is always reassuring to the defenders in green and white. He is also very aware that he can use his feet to keep the ball out which he does to great effect. Schmeichel's distribution was also on point throughout the contest and he proved that he can still kick it when it matters.

Arne Engels struggled to cope with Corrie Ndaba

The Belgian internationalist is still getting to grips with Scottish football and he looked decent in midweek against RB Leipzig in the Champions League but he was brought down to earth with a real bump by Killie midfielder Corrie Ndaba. Engels lost the physical battle in the middle of the park as McInnes won that particular tactical joust with Rodgers by detailing Ndaba to shackle his £11 million man. He did come in for some robust treatment from Kilmarnock which went unpunished by referee Nick Walsh but the energy-sapping exertions of midweek seemed to take its toll on Engels more than most. It was no surprise when Paulo Bernardo took his place on the field after 63 minutes.

King Kuhn is having a laugh, isn't he?

The German can do no wrong in a Celtic shirt at this moment in time. That's an incredible 10 goals and 11 assists for the winger this season. He is averaging a goal contribution every 56 minutes. It's November! Ironically this wasn't one of Kuhn's better performances but he kept his head when it mattered to steer home Celtic's crucial second goal that gave Rodgers men breathing space in this fixture and they needed it. He seemed to be annoyed with himself when he missed a cinch earlier after being teed up by Idah. However, he was not to be denied and he clinically despatched another chance on 70 minutes after Celtic were under the cosh for long spells. I've said it before and I will say it again. Hand the Scottish Player of the Year awards to Kuhn now. He is going to shatter all sorts of goals and assists records at this rate. Kuhn is having a laugh, isn't he?