Celtic looked back to their best in Kilmarnock thrashing

Kilmarnock 1 - 5 Celtic 

Kasper Høgh scored his first goals for Celtic with a hat-trick as they swept aside Kilmarnock in the Scottish Prem, with Martin O'Neill absent from the dugout

Author | Sean M

Stadium | Rugby Park 

Celtic’s veteran manager remained at home recovering after undergoing “a small procedure” in hospital earlier this week, leaving assistant Shaun Maloney to oversee Celtic’s second win of the new season.

Celtic made a dream start on Rugby Park’s new grass surface, taking the lead after just 64 seconds.

Kieran Tierney picked out Arne Engels on the left and his cross was met by Høgh, with the summer arrival from Bodø/Glimt rising to power a firm header into the net.

Kilmarnock responded well but could not make the most of several promising opportunities in an entertaining opening spell, and Celtic soon capitalised on mistakes at the back.

Watch | Atmosphere from the Celtic end

The visitors doubled their advantage shortly after the half-hour mark when Camilo Duran pounced on a loose pass from Johnly Yfeko. A swift passing move followed, ending with Høgh squeezing a neat finish beyond goalkeeper Max Stryjek and into the bottom corner.

The Danish striker completed his hat-trick moments later, finding himself unmarked at the back post as Duran’s cross was lifted over Stryjek for Høgh to head home.

Celtic were creating chances almost at will 

However, they could not extend their lead before half-time.

The situation quickly went from bad to worse for Kilmarnock after the restart, with a Stryjek error gifting Celtic a fourth.

The goalkeeper passed straight to Benjamin Nygren, who took his time before curling a composed finish into the top corner.

Duran and Yang came close to adding another before Kilmarnock finally got on the scoresheet. Michael Schjønning-Larsen finished off a flowing move that sliced through the Celtic defence.

There was still time for Celtic to restore their four-goal advantage, Luke McCowan scoring from a corner with his first touch just moments after coming on as a substitute to complete a comfortable victory for the champions.