Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has exonerated Scott Brown of any wrongdoing after his sending off amidst chaotic scenes at Rugby Park yesterday afternoon.

The Celtic captain netted a 90th minute winner to put the Parkhead side eight points clear at the top of the league but was shown a second yellow card as he ran into the visiting support to celebrate.

"There is no blame," said Rodgers. "I can’t blame him, I thought he was excellent in the game.

"He had good control. He had a challenge early on that he was booked for but I thought he was excellent.

"It’s very hard for Scott or any other player, especially when you score late on.

"We don’t get so many late goals now we normally have a comfort in the game but to get a winner like that, so late, you want to go with your team-mates to your supporters so to then get sent-off for it is always harsh.

“I always think it’s unfortunate for players. Of course there’s the reaction from him going to the crowd. But with it being at the end of the game and the emotion of it I always think it’s harsh for a player to get sent off.

“But it was a great leap by Dedryck. You watch it again he heads it back down and then Browny finishes it with a slight deflection. But I think if it doesn’t deflect it’s a penalty.

“I thought we thoroughly deserved it.

“Kilmarnock are a very good side and make it difficult for you.

“When it goes to 10 men I think how we managed that part of the game we did well. We do work when we’re down to 10, but also when we’re playing against 10.

“I thought we did well, got crosses in and eventually got the break through.”

It was an acrimonious game at Rugby Park with Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd hit by a coin as he warmed up while a number of seats in the Chadwick Stand were left damaged and broken. Flares were set off in the aftermath of the goal while Celtic fans were also on the pitch.

"Any behaviour like that is not acceptable at all, I think we would all reinforce that," said Rodgers.

“Initially obviously whenever we score you’re celebrating with the bench and stuff and when I looked around there was a bit of a melee going on. Supporters had come on to the pitch, which we don’t want to see. I understand the emotion of it all."

Meanwhile, Rodgers has applauded the recent domestic consistency shown by his side. Celtic have yet to lose a domestic goal this year and have won all eight games since returning from their warm weather training camp in Dubai.

“We had a game in midweek and if we hadn’t made mistakes we could easily have had another clean sheet," said Rodgers.

"I thought our concentration was very good considering everything that goes into Thursday night, you have to recover and these games are very taxing mentally because you have to stay concentrated and focused, with Kilmarnock having a full week to prepare. I thought we dealt with that side of it really well and controlled the game up until their half. The back four were excellent, the goalkeeper, two centre-halves, very good, some good combinations.”