Hogh celebrated a goal of his own for the first time since netting a hat-trick at Rugby Park on his second Celtic appearance when he finished from seven yards, but the strike was disallowed after a VAR intervention.

He soon saw an effort saved by Nico Mantl after being played clean through, then shot just over in the second half before being denied by a brilliant block from MJ Kamson-Kamara when he looked certain to score.

O’Neill said: “I thought Kasper was off the mark for about 35 seconds. I think he would maybe have scored the next chance if the first had counted, but he worked really hard for us.”

Mantl saved Benjamin Nygren’s penalty moments after Hogh was substituted.

“I wouldn’t have asked him to take it,” O’Neill said. “He might have missed. We missed it anyway.

“In front of goal it’s difficult, but he worked exceptionally hard, as he did on Thursday. Things will come. He thought he’d broken the spell. His hold-up play is much better now.

“If you have the crowd behind you, they feel as if you’re working hard, then they’ll forgive other things.

“It won’t last forever, strikers live and die by their goals, but he feels we all believe in him in the dressing room, which is very encouraging.”

Referee John Beaton penalised Mika Baur for a challenge on Greg Kiltie after Hogh’s celebrations.

O’Neill said: “I haven’t seen it back because the screen is too small for me to see. The lads thought it was touch and go.”

Celtic ultimately prevailed thanks to a looping finish from Liam Scales in the 26th minute.

“I couldn’t speak more highly of him,” O’Neill said of the defender. “Defensively he’s strong and he wants to get goals for us.”

O’Neill added: “It was a tough afternoon. We could never put the game to bed and Kilmarnock were always in the game. They played exceptionally well at times.

“But we saw it through and after the effort on Thursday I probably wasn’t surprised we didn’t have the same driving energy through the game.”

Baur went off with a knock after being caught by Aaron Tshibola at a bouncing ball.

“His ankle is really sore and we don’t know the damage,” O’Neill said. “We’ll get a scan.”

Killie had brilliant chances at the start and end of the game, but Tom Lowery was denied by Sam Johnstone’s double save and Ieuan Owen could not connect with a cross in stoppage time.

Manager Neil McCann said: “The boys were brilliant. It’s not an easy place to come, especially after Celtic’s good result against Besiktas and them having their tails up and being confident.

“We created chances, were disciplined and brave on the ball in a difficult environment.

“The boys are really disappointed we didn’t take anything.”