CELTIC 5 KILMARNOCK 1
JUST CHAMPION! Celtic returned to the pulverising form associated with Scotland’s title kings as they pummelled Kilmarnock at Parkhead this afternoon.
Brendan Rodgers watched with a fair degree of satisfaction as his players responded to his criticism after last weekend’s dismal performance against St Johnstone.
On this occasion, the Hoops started on the front foot and were FOUR goals ahead by the 25th minute as they decimated their opponents with a display that was laced with breathtaking combination play, mesmerising movement and, most importantly, ruthless finishing.
The result leaves the rampant team on the verge of their fourth successive championship if their nearest challengers from Ibrox fail to beat Aberdeen at Pittodrie in tomorrow’s noon kick-off.
THAT’S MY BHOY…Callum McGregor congratulates Reo Hatate after the opening goal.
The Rugby Park side were blown away on a bright sunny afternoon in the east end of Glasgow as the champions turned on the afterburners.
Reo Hatate, with a double, Daizen Maeda and Cameron Carter-Vickers, with a truly remarkable 30-yard strike, had the hosts coasting at the interval with the only blight on the scoreline coming from a Danny Armstrong angled effort from the right wing floating past a startled Viljami Sinisalo with the visitors’ first shot on target in the 28th minute.
Substitute Anthony Ralston brought down the curtain on a fine show with a stoppage-time fifth goal.
Killie were left spellbound by the pace and accuracy of Celtic passing and positioning as Rodgers’ men claimed the opening goal in the ninth minute.
CUT ABOVE…Daizen Maeda, sporting a new hairstyle, celebrates No.2.
Hatate got the show on the road when he worked a one-two with Greg Taylor and, easing in from the left onto his right foot, he swirled a 25-yard drive over the outstretched arms of Kieran O’Hara into his top left-hand corner for the breakthrough goal.
Two minutes later, Maeda, with his 31st strike of a prolific campaign, doubled the advantage following a sweeping 13-pass moved that had the visitors chasing shadows.
Arne Engels sent Alistair Johnston scampering into the penalty box and the Canadian right-back whipped in a low cross.
Lewis Mayo got his feet in a fankle as he tried to clear and the ball fell to the Japanese ace who tucked it way with the minimum of fuss at the back post.
In the 21st minute, the Celtic fans rose as one as Carter-Vickers decided to get in on the act as he ambled forward to accept a pass from Liam Scales.
A CRACKER FROM CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS…Alistair Johnston congratulates the defender after his wonder strike.
No danger threatened as the defender took a touch before arrowing a 30-yard drive high over O’Hara’s right shoulder into the roof of the net for a memorable strike.
Four minutes later, Hatate notched his second and Celtic’s fourth after some excellent passing between Forrest and Johnston that once again saw the defender send in a peach of a cross.
The stylish midfielder took a touch, sidestepped a challenge and rattled in a right-foot shot with O’Hara again left exposed and helpless.
In the 28th minute, Sinisalo conceded his first goal at Parkhead in his three appearances at the venue when an arcing effort from Armstrong left him flapping on its way into the net.
CELTIC TO THE FOUR…Reo Hatate is congratulated by delighted team-mates James Forrest and Alistair Johnston after making it 4-0.
The hosts were denied a fifth goal three minutes from the interval with an extremely tight VAR deicision wiping out a strike from Maeda after some nice work from Engels, Adam Idah and Hatate.
Just after the hour mark, Rodgers made a triple substitution with Jeffrey Schlupp, Nicolas Kun and Filipe Jota coming on for Taylor, Forrest and Idah.
The Hoops looked comfortable without emphasising their superiority with extra goals and Ralston and Luke McCowan joined the action within five minutes as they took over from Johnston and Maeda.
Engels was out of luck in the 77th minute when he curled a ball high past O’Hara after the keeper had pawed away a right-wing cross from Ralston.
The Belgian playmaker snapped onto the loose ball, worked it to his right and then sent a lovely effort over the keeper, but, unfortunately, the ball smacked against the face of the crossbar and was cleared.
However, Ralston had better fortune in the third minute of stoppage-time when he moved onto an astute pass from Hatate and angled a low drive wide of O’Hara to claim the final goal.
Now all eyes are on Pittodrie tomorrow!
TEAM: Sinisalo; Johnston (sub: Ralston 76), Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor (sub: Schlupp 61); Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Forrest (sub: Kuhn 61), Idah (sub: Jota 61), Maeda (sub: McCowan 81).
