ERIK Sviatchenko will be happy for Celtic to win ugly between now and the end of the 2015/16 season - if it means they sew up their fifth consecutive Scottish title.

The centre half acknowledged the Parkhead club’s display in their narrow 1-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Sunday had once again not been their best.

Ronny Deila’s side needed a sensational long-range goal from substitute Tom Rogic with just seconds of regulation time remaining in order to secure the victory.

However, they are now four points ahead at the top of the Premiership table with a game in hand courtesy of the 2-1 defeat Aberdeen slumped to at Fir Park at the weekend.

Sviatchenko, the Danish defender who arrived in Glasgow in January, believes grinding out results will be acceptable for Celtic in their remaining eight games.

“Of course we have to play better than we did against Kilmarnock,” he said. “But on less good days, a good team still has to get three points. I’d rather do that than play wonderful football and not get three points.

“At this moment, it’s the points that count. We are trying to improve on the training field and in games. I see progression, but the other teams are also getting better at this point because they are all fighting for something.

“It is always close in these kind of games. Kilmarnock were eager to hold onto their opportunity to get that one point. But class won’t be denied and class really came through with Tom’s left foot.

“I didn’t feel under pressure as the game went on, I just felt we had to keep going. It is always difficult to play against 10 men behind the ball. But when we believe in it and have individualists like Tom, it’s always possible.

“The goal was unbelievable. I was right behind Tom and saw him turn onto his left foot and hit it. I just thought: ‘Yes, it’s going in’. It was such a good strike.

“I know it is a really, really important three points. At this stage, with not so many games left in the season, every game really counts. To score a late winner like this can be really, really important.

“It is always important to win and if we want to be champions, we have to cope with that pressure all the time.”