2024-08-04: Celtic 4-0 Kilmarnock, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2024 – 2025

Trivia

  • KO: 4.30pm, Sunday, Sky Sports TV, league game 1
  • Opening day, first competitive match of the season.
  • Celtic on top of the league on 3pts, +4GD,
  • Flag Day for Celtic. Lisbon Lion Jim Craig  unfurled the league flag.
  • Maeda out injured. Schmeichel debut, watched by his father.
  • Four SP games live on Sky Sports TV over the weekend. Some grumbles that Celtic game kicking off at 4.30pm on a Sunday, but this is the prime weekend TV time slot for football, and with no EPL games Celtic can take advantage of this time slot.
  • Sevco draw nil-nil with Hearts away on day before (Hearts ‘cheated’ out of clear penalty).
  • VAR controversy: Analysis showed that Kyogo should have got a penalty, he was clattered by the goalkeeper but many thought it wasn’t given as though offside originally, but post-match analysis shows otherwise (and VAR should have seen this immediately). Sevco should have conceded a penalty but somehow a clear handball was not given as a penalty against them, with many twisting the rules around to try to prove that.
    Post-Note: (Sep 2024) The SFA have admitted that a mistake was made against Celtic in the opening SPFL match of the season- with the two officials involved in charge of Sunday’s Sky Sports match from Tannadice. Willie Collum has given a factual breakdown of the foul on Kyogo Furuhashi by Robbie McCrorie but offered no explanation as to why Greg Aitken refused to step in and award Celtic a penalty. There seemed little doubt that the Celtic forward was wiped out, match referee Don Robertson can be excused for missing it at ground level but with multiple camera angles from Sky Sports Aitken decided not to intervene and award a penalty.
  • Europe: Uefa Cup Kilmarnock lost 1-0 so out 2-1 (agg) v Club Bruges (Belgium); Uefa Conf League St Mirren won 4-1 (4-1 agg) v Valur so thru to next round.
  • League Cup: Drawn at home to Hibs in Premier Sports Cup last 16.
  • Transfers so far this summer:
  • In: return of loanees like Lawal, Tilio, Haksabonovic; Viljami Sinisalo (est £1m) from Aston Villa; Kasper Schmeichel on a free from Anderlecht; Bernardo from Benfica (est £3.5m + addons);
  • Out: Idah back to Norwich after loan ended; Bernardo back to Benfica after loan ended; Haksabanovic to Malmö (undisclosed); Rocco Vata to Watford (£250k compensation); Tilio sent back on loan to Melbourne City (Australia) for 2024/25; Oh sold to Genk (£4.5m); Ben Siegrist to Rapid Bucharest (free);
  • Reports: Leicester City weighing up big-money offer for Hatate. Tanner Tessmann’s agent conceded that Venezia’s asking price may scare off suitors amid alleged interest from Celtic. Serie A sides Parma & Hellas Verona interested in taking Gustaf Lagerbielke. Loan offer from Belgian club KV Mechelen for Stephen Welsh. N Ireland intl Shea Charles mentioned as a make-way as part of a deal for Southampton to get O’Riley. Celtic make multiple bids for Canadian striker Jacen Russell-Rowe. Celtic supposedly stepping up pursuit of Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland (few convinced this is true). Wolves not interested in letting Hugo Bueno leave at this stage of the window. Celtic preparing to submit offer to sign Hannibal Mejbri on a permanent transfer (acc to foreign sources), reports previously that Sevco after him. Philadelphia Union’s Daniel Gazdag, Southampton’s Shea Charles & Venezia’s Tanner Tessmann among supposed list of targets. Left-back Owen Beck back on the Celtic radar but Liverpool would prefer a sale than a loan. Celtic have not tabled a bid for Philadelphia Union playmaker Daniel Gazdag despite any reports of interest. Atalanta reportedly to return with a £23m bid for O’Riley. Swedish player Bazoumana Touré from Hammarby. Celtic would prefer a permanent deal for Liverpool left-back Owen Beck, while QPR favour a loan. Chelsea enter race to sign Matt O’Riley from Celtic.
  • Paulo Bernardo signed a 5yr perm deal for est £3.5m + addons from Benfica after a successful loan spell last season.
  • Kyogo Furuhashi has changed agents on the eve of the new season sparking rumours galore.
  • Brendan Rodgers states that suitors will need to pay the value of the player & not the value of the league for Matt O’Riley.  Kasper Schmeichel says “I’m trying everything” to persuade fellow Danish international Matt O’Riley to remain at Celtic.
  • Mansfield Town signed Celtic youth forward Ben Quinn on a 1yr deal, he’d scored 23 goals for Celtic’s u21 side.
  • Ex-Celtic loanee Adam Idah to be disciplined internally at Norwich for failing to meet up with their squad for a flight to Austria, their manager admits Celtic speculation likely a key factor. Many Celtic fans want to see him back at Celtic permanently. Adam Idah was booed onto the park during Norwich’s defeat to St Pauli. He was the only player not to applaud the supporters post-match, opting to head straight down the tunnel after the 3-1 loss.
  • Politics: Far-right organised a march in George Square, follows on from trouble/riots in England of late. Mosques to be offered emergency security amid ‘far-right thuggery’ The fresh statements issued by Sir Keir Starmer follow ugly scenes across the country, including in Rotherham, with the Prime Minister condemning an attack on a hotel housing asylum seekers.
  • Film: Comedian Steve Coogan to play ex-Celt Mick McCarthy, and Éanna Hardwicke cast as ex-Celt Roy Keane in ‘Saipan’ film about his infamous World Cup 2002 walkout from the Ireland squad.
  • Olympics in Paris: first week completed. Eight Olympic medals now for Duncan Scott – two gold, six silver. Most people probably wouldn’t even recognise him in the street (I suspect he likes it that way) but he’s one of the greats in the history of Scottish sport. Glaswegian Beth Potter won the triathlon bronze medal in women’s event. Tennis great Andy Murray bows out at the quarter-finals of the men’s doubles, and ends his playing career.
  • Interest rates cut for first time in four years by Bank of England to 5 per cent.

Summary

“The challenge at big clubs is making every game a special game.”
Brendan Rodgers

“It’s a tough start for us, but we have to go and make that first step and make it a good step.”
Brendan Rodgers

“Our duty is for the supporters, to give them the best team that we possibly can because they deserve that for the support they give the club, the money they spend. So, we as a football club, have to give them the best team that we possibly can.”
Brendan Rodgers

Josh McCafferty @Joshmcc_05: “Nicolas Kuhn has brought his pre-season form into the league. The German looks a much improved player from last term. He was a constant threat in the hour he played today, and got a deserved goal. Big year ahead for the winger”

Paddy Power tweet: “Sod it, we’ve seen enough already. We’re paying out on Celtic to win the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership!”

Celtic defender Liam Scales on Sky Sports: 
“First game back you want to get a clean sheet and the goal is a bit of a bonus. I don’t get much, so it’s good to get one but we want to keep as many clean sheets as we can.
“Last pre-season the manager was new in and we were getting to know each other. We were learning his style of play, now we know it we can pick up where we left off last season and that’s what we’re trying to do.
“It was a good performance, but that was only our first game back. Once we pick up momentum there’s room for improvement.”

El Salto of KDS: Great performance and no failures in the team
Speed of thought and passing was excellent, and all in second gear
The Kyogo offside was questionable, the non award of a penalty on the wee man was outright cheating
They checked for offside, and said he wasn’t so why not review the incident?

Bhoys are back of KDS:

Great start to the season. But…. if Kyogo gets injured, we are already in bother. End of last season, I thought Idah and Miovski would have been the perfect additions – definitely thought by now we’d have had Idah in at least.

Hopefully Kuhn takes this opportunity to put in a great season, he definitely has the ability.

Forrest – he shouldn’t need to be a starter at this stage, he’s a really good sub to bring on to potentially save a game but again it shows how we still need new signings when we’re having to start Jamesie.

VAR – will be watching to see how this pans out, although I know where this is headed already. Handball not given yesterday, penalty not given today. Let’s see how consistent VAR is over the next weeks and months, but I think we all know that if either incident involved a Celtic player, we’d be seeing a penalty given against us.

All in all, really good performance today from the whole team, hopefully a few more bodies in and we’ll be in great shape for the season.

Dominik Diamond @DominikDiamond Strolled the game. Kuhn Kyogo Forrest all buzzing up front. Hatate MOTM for me in the middle but thought Scales had a terrific game as well: defensively solid, distribution from the back was dynamic and took his goal well, could have had two. But if Kyogo gets injured…

Teams

Celtic:

  • 1K. Schmeichel
  • 3G. Taylor
  • 5L. Scales
  • 20C. Carter-Vickers
  • 2A. Johnston
  • 41R. Hatate,
  • 42C. McGregor
  • 33M. O’Riley
  • 49J. Forrest
  • 8K. Furuhashi
  • 10N. Kühn, subbed for

Subs:

28, Paulo Bernardo
15, O. Holm
24, T. Iwata
90, M. Johnston
7, L. Palma
56, A. Ralston
12, V. Sinisalo
57, S. Welsh
13, Yang Hyun-Ju

Goals:

  • R. Hatate
  • L. Scales
  • N. Kühn
  • A. Ralston

Assists:

G. Taylor (17′), M. O’Riley (40′), K. Furuhashi (59′)

Kilmarnock

Manager: Derek McInnes

Formation: 4 – 3 – 3

  • 20R. McCrorie
  • 51O. Bainbridge
  • 17S. Findlay
  • 5L. Mayo
  • 8B. Lyons
  • 31L. Polworth
  • 22L. Donnelly
  • 12D. Watson
  • 10M. Kennedy 
  • 9K. Vassell
  • 15F. Murray subbed for

Subs:

  • 19B. Anderson
  • 11D. Armstrong
  • 26B. Brannan
  • 18I. Cameron
  • 14G. Mackay-Steven
  • 7R. McKenzie
  • 1K. O’Hara
  • 25E. Brown
  • 24B. Wales

Goals:
Assists:

Ref: Robertson, assisted by linesmen David Roome and Craig Ferguson. Fourth Official Grant Irvine, VAR Greg Aitken supported by Jonathan Bell
Att:60000

Articles

  • Match Report (see below)

Pictures

Match Links

Stats

Overall Possession
Celtic 82.1%
Kilmarnock 17.9%

Shots
Celtic 32
Kilmarnock 5

Shots on target
Celtic 13
Kilmarnock 2

Shots off target
Celtic 10
Kilmarnock 2

Blocked shots
Celtic 9Kilmarnock 1

Total touches in the box
Celtic 53
Kilmarnock 9

Goalkeeper saves
Celtic 2
Kilmarnock 7

Aerial duels won
Celtic 13
Kilmarnock 13

Fouls
Celtic 7
Kilmarnock 11

Corners
Celtic 10
Kilmarnock 1

Articles

Slick Celtic’s contrast with Rangers could not be more stark as one man is new signing

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/slick-celtics-contrast-with-rangers-could-not-be-more-stark-as-one-man-plays-like-new-signing-4728772
Matthew Elder
By Matthew Elder
Published 4th Aug 2024, 21:00 BST
Updated 5th Aug 2024, 00:21 BST
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Celtic 4-0 Kilmarnock: Champions back with a bang on flag day
Celtic unfurled the flag to mark last season’s title success, then underlined why they are favourites to become champions again as they opened their 2024-25 league campaign with a stylish 4-0 win over Kilmarnock.

You can never read too much into pre-season although the positive signs were very much evident for Brendan Rodgers’ side following a US tour that saw them inflict defeats on Man City and Chelsea, putting four goals past both.

They were never likely to find the space they exploited to great effect in those friendly wins against a packed Scottish Premiership defence but even when presented with an altogether different challenge, the outcome was still the same.

Four goals, 32 shots, 82 per cent possession, free-flowing football – all the ingredients were there for a Celtic side who look like they are starting as they mean to go on. And that is without making a single new outfield signing with two goalkeepers and a loanee from last season the only summer arrivals so far at Parkhead, albeit with almost all of last season’s double-winning squad still intact, minus the retired Joe Hart and barely used striker Oh Hyeon-gyu. The contrast to a mid-rebuild Rangers side already playing catch-up after an opening day goalless draw at Hearts could not be more stark.

Celtic’s Nicolas Kuhn celebrates with Matt O’Riley and Kyogo Furuhashi after scoring to make it 3-0 against Kilmarnock
Celtic’s Nicolas Kuhn celebrates with Matt O’Riley and Kyogo Furuhashi after scoring to make it 3-0 against Kilmarnock | SNS Group
The lack of new arrivals is a bugbear for Celtic fans but a revitalised Reo Hatate could be as good as a new signing. The Japanese midfielder struggled to find his feet under Rodgers initially last term – he was left on the bench for last season’s league opener behind David Turnbull and then struggled with injuries – but he has started this campaign with a flourish, setting Celtic on their way with the opening goal on 17 minutes with a measured finish from 18 yards to cap off a dynamic display that reminded of his contributions under previous boss Ange Postecoglou.

Nicolas Kuhn is another who looks like a different animal. His two goals in the 4-3 win over Man City on US soil certainly got Celtic fans talking, and he lived up to the pre-season hype against Kilmarnock. He appears a quicker and stronger player than the one who struggled to make much impact in the second half of last season following his January arrival from Rapid Vienna. One 70-yard run down the right touchline brought the crowd to their feet before he capped off his performance with the third goal on the hour mark, albeit courtesy of a wicked deflection.

It came after Liam Scales had doubled Celtic’s lead late in the first-half with a towering header from a Matt O’Riley corner while Anthony Ralston, who replaced Alistair Johnston late on, grabbed a fourth in second-half injury-time after Robby McCrorie had parried a Kyogo Furuhashi effort.

Liam Scales scores Celtic’s second goal against Killie
Liam Scales scores Celtic’s second goal against Killie | SNS Group
The one caveat over the Celtic performance would be that this was a Kilmarnock side with a makeshift defence and feeling the aftereffects of a tough European assignment in Brugge on Thursday night.

Derek McInnes was forced to hand 19-year-old Oliver Bainbridge a baptism of fire with a first-ever appearance in senior football in front of 60,000 spectators just 48 hours after arriving on loan from Sunderland.

Killie battled their corner but were never really in this game. The main positive for Derek McInnes was no fresh injuries ahead of welcoming Tromso to Rugby Park on Thursday in the Europa Conference League.

Celtic begin William Hill Premiership title defence with rout of Kilmarnock
Story by Gavin McCafferty, PA
• 1h

Anthony Ralston’s stoppage-time goal sent Celtic top of the William Hill Premiership as the champions opened their title defence with a routine 4-0 victory over a depleted Kilmarnock side.

Reo Hatate, Liam Scales and Nicolas Kuhn were also on target as Brendan Rodgers’ side moved above St Mirren on goal difference in an early Premiership table that already sees Celtic clear of the rest of the teams.

Kilmarnock arrived in between European trips to Belgium and Norway and with only two experienced defenders available.

Joe Wright missed out after suffering a quad injury during Thursday’s Europa League qualifying defeat to Cercle Brugge, while Robbie Deas was suspended and new signing Corrie Ndaba injured.

Midfielder Brad Lyons filled in at right-back and 19-year-old Oliver Bainbridge made his first-team debut at left-back, 24 hours after joining on loan from Sunderland. Stuart Findlay and Lewis Mayo provided the experience in central defence.

Kasper Schmeichel made his Celtic debut in an otherwise familiar line-up which was only missing the injured Daizen Maeda.

Lisbon Lion Jim Craig unfurled the league flag and Celtic quickly set about the process of retaining their title.

Lyons cleared off the line from Kyogo Furuhashi following great skill from the Japan forward, whose international team-mate Hatate soon drilled home from 18 yards in the 17th minute. Celtic had won the ball back high up the park before Greg Taylor teed up the midfielder.
Schmeichel made routine saves from Liam Donnelly and Fraser Murray, but otherwise had an unsurprisingly quiet afternoon.

Robby McCrorie was far busier, saving well from Furuhashi and Kuhn as Celtic zipped the ball about with pace and purpose.

The champions doubled their lead five minutes before the break when Scales got a run on Mayo to head home Matt O’Riley’s corner.

McCrorie saved from James Forrest before being beaten by a deflection after Kuhn cut in from the right wing in the 59th minute.

Hatate produced a regular supply of efforts without troubling McCrorie and set up Furuhashi with a glorious cross, only for the striker to make a mess of his right-footed effort.

With the game gone, visiting manager Derek McInnes took the opportunity to rest players ahead of his side’s Conference League qualifier against Tromso on Thursday.

Furuhashi saw a goal disallowed for offside before being denied by a strong challenge from McCrorie and then a good stop from the goalkeeper.

Substitute Ralston was on hand to drill home the rebound from a tight angle and put Celtic a goal ahead of St Mirren at the top of the table.

How Brendan Rodgers solved riddle for one key player – and missed Celtic penalty award against Kilmarnock

Matthew Elder
By Matthew Elder
Published 4th Aug 2024, 19:58 BST
Updated 4th Aug 2024, 20:00 BST
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/how-brendan-rodgers-solved-riddle-for-one-key-player-and-missed-celtic-penalty-award-against-kilmarnock-4728760

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What the Celtic manager said after the 4-0 opening day win

Brendan Rodgers hailed a reinvigorated Reo Hatate following the opening day 4-0 win over Kilmarnock and believes he is only now getting the best out of the midfielder after an underwhelming first campaign under his management.

Hatate was benched by Rodgers for the opening matches of last season with David Turnbull the preferred option and the Japan internationalist’s campaign subsequently unravelled with a series of injuries restricting his appearances and form. Rodgers admitted that Hatate initially failed to live up to expectations last season, but he looked back to his Ange Postecoglou-era best as he kickstarted the new campaign with the opening goal and a man of the match display against the Rugby Park side.

“I didn’t see the player that I hoped to see at the beginning of last season, for whatever reason,” Rodgers said. “I was aware of him and I’d seen him play and I liked what I’d seen. But he never really got going through pre-season last year. And not to what I was wanting. He got injured and then it was really broken for him.
Celtic’s Reo Hatate gets a handshake from Brendan Rodgers following his late substitution in the 4-0 win over Kilmarnock. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Celtic’s Reo Hatate gets a handshake from Brendan Rodgers following his late substitution in the 4-0 win over Kilmarnock. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

“He had little spells where he came into the team, but not consistently. But he’s come back pre-season now. And obviously, how the season ended, again, there’s that confidence. He knows I like him as a player. And he knows what I want from him as a player. And I think that what I’ve seen over the course of pre-season, he’s top class. I’d hoped I could see that last season, but it doesn’t matter.

“He’s here now and he’s been absolutely brilliant since his comeback. So I’m really pleased for him. I just think it’s just probably him maybe gaining a bit more clarity around what I want from a central midfield player. I want all the players to do their very best for Celtic. And then that ambition to do well for Celtic will help them in their individual careers. So, for me, it was always about balance. There was always a wonderful, gifted player in how he takes the ball and how he operates in space.

“For me, it was about keeping the risk in the game. Because I don’t like midfield players that keep the ball 10 times out of 10. It’s no good. But there are areas of the pitch in which to risk it. I think now he really sees the balance in the game between keeping the ball, keeping good concentration, linking the game, but still having the threat. You would have seen that in pre-season, you would have seen it at times in the second half of last season. But now I see a much more complete player.”

Hatate’s 17th-minute opener got Celtic up and running and further goals from Liam Scales, Nicolas Kuhn and Anthony Ralston completed a comfortable opening day victory as the Parkhead side carried on their impressive pre-season form. Rodgers insisted, however, Celtic should have had a penalty late in the second half after Kyogo Furuhashi was clattered by goalkeeper Robbie McCrorie following a cleverly-worked free-kick routine that saw Matt O’Riley chip the ball into goalmouth.

It was a heart-in-mouth moment for Celtic fans as their only recognised first-team striker lay in a heap on the ground – Rodgers confirming afterwards that work is ongoing to sign another striker – but the Celtic boss insisted that Kyogo was fine and that he was more concerned over the lack of a spot-kick award.

“I thought it should have been a penalty,” he stressed. “I think if you watch it again, he’s onside. It’s a clever movement. Gavin [Strachan, coach] has gone through that with the guys the last couple of days in terms of looking at inventive ways to be creative. So he’s absolutely perfect, he plays onside. He plays it perfectly, makes his run, times it well. He has a touch past the keeper and the keeper clatters him.

“You can’t say he’s not going to get it because the Kilmarnock guy was behind him. He actually got to the ball. So you can never say he wasn’t going to get it. So it should have been a penalty. I didn’t think he was overly hurt, I just thought it was a penalty.”

Manager pleased with impressive Flag Day performance

https://www.celticfc.com/news/2024/august/04/manager-pleased-with-impressive-flag-day-performance/
By Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor

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04 Aug 2024, 7:33 pm

Brendan Rodgers was pleased with his side’s display as they kicked off the defence of their Premiership title with an impressive 4-0 home win over Kilmarnock.

The goals came from Reo Hatate, Liam Scales, Nicolas Kuhn and Anthony Ralston in a match where Celtic enjoyed 82% possession, and there could even have been more goals in the course of the 90 minutes.

Speaking to Celtic TV after the game, the Celtic manager said: “It was a very good performance. You wish for that.

“We had seen signs over the course of pre-season, the co-ordination in the team and how it all synchronised, and the idea is that you’re working towards that first game. So that first game today was an excellent performance.

“The game-plan was to make the game as quick as we could and use that speed and obviously to penetrate in behind – sometimes you need to speed up the game and play in front – so I’m so pleased, especially at this stage of the season.

“I mentioned before the game that it’s not going to be perfect but we’ve got to get going, and I thought we got going today and a lot of our play was exceptional in the game. So it was a really good day for us – four goals, clean sheet, created other opportunities and it was really pleasing.”

While Kyogo did not get on the scoresheet, his performance drew praise from his manager, who was also pleased that the goals were shared throughout the team.

“For me, it’s never about just the striker,” the Hoops boss said, “but I thought what Kyogo did so well today was that he played the space rather than the position.

“That’s what I’ve been talking to him about. I want him on the last line and if the space is there to go in behind – great – but the space today was in front at times, and that drew out the opponent, and you see for Nic’s goal where he came short, the space was there and he spun in round the corner, and that creates the space then for Nic eventually to come inside.

“So the goals throughout the team has always been a mantra for me. There’s no point in a striker getting 40-odd goals and everyone else not, but across the team it’s important to have goalscorers.”

Celts kick off season 2024/25 in style with fantastic four on Flag Day
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2024/august/04/celts-kick-off-season-2024-25-in-style-with-fantastic-four-on-flag-day/

First Team

By Matthew Campbell

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04 Aug 2024, 6:59 pm

Scottish Premiership
Sunday, August 4, 2024
Celtic Park, Glasgow

CELTIC… 4
(Hatate 17, Scales 40, Kuhn 59, Ralston 90 + 4)

KILMARNOCK… 0

The reigning champions of Scotland got off to the perfect start for season 2024/25 today (Sunday) at Celtic Park as they defeated Kilmarnock 4-0.

The atmosphere inside the stadium before kick-off was excellent as the supporters held up a full stadium display in celebration of Flag Day. Lisbon Lion, Jim Craig, received a brilliant reception before unfurling the league flag to signal the start of the season for the champions.

Brendan Rodgers’ side had full control of the game from the off and with 17 minutes on the clock, they took the lead. Greg Taylor slipped the ball to Reo Hatate near the edge of the box and the Japanese midfielder buried it low in to the corner.

The Celts looked hungry for goals all afternoon as they continued to create chances in an attempt to double their lead. A good shot from Kyogo which looked destined for the top corner was saved well by the Killie keeper as the Hoops piled on the pressure.

Five minutes before half time Liam Scales made it 2-0 as he headed home from a Matt O’Riley corner. O’Riley’s delivery found Scales who rose highest, and his header looped over McCrorie in the Kilmarnock goal and nestled in the net.
82%

Possession
18%
32

Shots
5
13

Shots On Target
2
10

Corners
1
7

Fouls
11

0

0

Cards

2

0

Scales almost got his second of the afternoon in the second half. His shot from inside the box in the 57th minute was blocked on the line as the champions continued to look for more goals. And they soon got their third through Nicolas Kuhn.

With just under an hour played, Kuhn went on a marauding run from his right wing position, cutting inside and getting a shot away. His shot was deflected by a Kilmarnock defender but it rose over the keeper and in to the net, prompting an interesting (and clearly choreographed) celebration from Kuhn, O’Riley and Kyogo.

Kyogo had the ball in the net in the 80th minute after a brilliant touch and finish but a VAR review showed that he was marginally offside.

There was then a big penalty shout after the Kilmarnock keeper clattered Kyogo in the penalty area. However, replays showed that the striker was probably offside in the build-up.

The game looked to be heading for a 3-0 victory to the Hoops, but with a minute remaining of the match, Anthony Ralston made it four. Kyogo’s shot was saved and parried in to the path of Ralston who slammed the ball into the net.

Kasper Schmeichel will be delighted with his first experience of Paradise, recording a clean sheet and a thumping 4-0 victory.

Brendan Rodgers and his men will now turn their attentions to a trip to Easter Road next weekend where they’ll be looking for another three points.

Celtic: Schmeichel, Alistair Johnston (Ralston 63′), Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, O’Riley, McGregor, Hatate (Holm 82′), Kühn (Palma 63′), Kyogo, Forrest (Hyunjun Yang 77′)

Subs: Palma, Sinisalo, Hyunjun Yang, Holm, Tomoki, Paulo Bernardo, Ralston, Welsh, Mikey Johnston

Kilmarnock: McCrorie, Lyons, Mayo, Findlay, Bainbridge, Watson, Donnelly (Wales 74′), Polworth (McKenzie 65′), Murray (Mackay-Steven 87′), Vassell (Cameron 66′), Kennedy (Armstrong 65′)

Subs: O’Hara, McKenzie, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Cameron, Anderson, Wales, Brown, Brannan

BBC
Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Celtic opened their Scottish Premiership title defence in imposing fashion by swatting aside Kilmarnock.

After a game that felt like it was two months into the new season, not two days, Celtic started the campaign as they ended the previous one – at the top of the table.

Having unfurled the title flag amid fireworks and a party atmosphere, Brendan Rodgers’ side rose to the occasion with first-half goals from Reo Hatate and Liam Scales before Nicolas Kuhn added a deflected third and Anthony Ralston netted for the first time in two and a half years.

Kilmarnock put up a solid fight but their makeshift defence could not do much against a fully-firing Celtic side.

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The hosts wasted no time in signalling their intent, and the first chance came courtesy of Kyogo Furuhashi, who dinked the ball over Robby McCrorie. Lewis Mayo came to the rescue of his goalkeeper to clear the ball off the line.

Moments later Hatate got Celtic off the mark. There was a bit of a mix-up from the Kilmarnock defence as Lewis Mayo gave the ball away to Greg Taylor. He found Hatate on the edge of the box and the Japan midfielder fired his shot beyond McCrorie into the bottom corner.

Killie’s best chance of the game came just before the half-hour mark. Cameron Carter-Vickers was uncharacteristically outmuscled by Kyle Vassell, who teed up Matty Kennedy inside the Celtic box, but his shot was straight at Kasper Schmeichel, who enjoyed a trouble-free debut.

Centre-back Scales was the unlikely scorer as Celtic doubled their lead just before half-time. The Republic of Ireland international did well to beat his marker and get on the end of Matt O’Riley’s cross, heading beyond McCrorie.

Kuhn, who struggled to settle into life in Glasgow last season, got Celtic’s third. Kyogo played a lovely pass to the winger, who worked his way into the box and unleashed an effort that flew into the box via a deflection off Mayo.

Celtic had plenty of chances to add further goals and Kyogo found the back of the net with 10 minutes to play, but was denied by the offside flag.

Ralston, though, was celebrating a rare goal on the cusp of full-time as the substitute squeezed the ball past McCrorie after Kyogo’s effort was saved.
Celtic make early statement

While fans have been crying out for new arrivals, Celtic’s performance showed that when it comes to domestic action, they do not really need them.

Kuhn continued his impressive pre-season form to show signs he can make a real impact this season.

And if Celtic can keep sought-after O’Riley, and fellow midfielder Hatate steers clear of injury, it will be a challenge for any team to knock them off the top this term.

The pensive, slow passing of chunks of last season was nowhere to be seen and in its place, a free-flowing, fast moving attacking side that had shades of Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic.

There is a lot for fans to like already this season, and Celtic have only played 90 minutes.
More to come from Killie

Having just signed their left-back 24 hours earlier, and with one eye on their upcoming European game, it was no surprise Kilmarnock struggled against the pace and freshness of Rodgers’ Celtic.

They showed glimpses of attacking threat, with Vassell and Matty Kennedy looking sharp in spells at the top end of the pitch. Fraser Murray was unlucky not to find himself on the scoresheet in the second half as well.

McCrorie showed glimpses of what he can do as Celtic rained in 13 shots on target and the overworked goalkeeper tried to keep the hosts at bay.

Once he gets used to that one shirt, Kilmarnock will have a player on their hands.
What they said

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “I have to be so pleased for the first game of the season. You hope after the pre-season that we had it can come into your first game and it certainly did that.”

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: “I thought the 4-0 scoreline was a bit harsh on us. IIt was a good time for Celtic to play us and a bad time for us to play Celtic.

“Hopefully next time we play Celtic we’re a bit more prepared and have a few more players available for selection.”

Live Text

Postat 90 minutes plus 6
90’+6

Match ends, Celtic 4, Kilmarnock 0.
Full Timeat 90 minutes plus 6
90’+6

Second Half ends, Celtic 4, Kilmarnock 0.
Goal!at 90 minutes plus 4
90’+4

Goal! Celtic 4, Kilmarnock 0. Anthony Ralston (Celtic) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right to the bottom left corner.
Postat 90 minutes plus 4
90’+4

Attempt saved. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Matt O’Riley.
Postat 90 minutes plus 3
90’+3

Attempt missed. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Odin Holm.
Postat 90 minutes
90′

Attempt missed. Liam Scales (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Matt O’Riley with a cross following a corner.
Postat 90 minutes
90′

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Lewis Mayo.
Postat 90 minutes
90′

Attempt blocked. Greg Taylor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Luis Palma.
Substitutionat 87 minutes
87′

Substitution, Kilmarnock. Gary Mackay-Steven replaces Fraser Murray.
Postat 87 minutes
87′

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Postat 86 minutes
86′

Delay in match because of an injury Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic).
Postat 85 minutes
85′

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Postat 84 minutes
84′

Delay in match because of an injury Luis Palma (Celtic).
Bookingat 84 minutes
84′

Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Postat 83 minutes
83′

Luis Palma (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Postat 83 minutes
83′

Foul by Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock).
Substitutionat 82 minutes
82′

Substitution, Celtic. Odin Holm replaces Reo Hatate.
Postat 80 minutes
80′

Offside, Celtic. Kyogo Furuhashi is caught offside.
Postat 79 minutes
79′

Attempt missed. Luis Palma (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Kyogo Furuhashi.
Substitutionat 77 minutes
77′

Substitution, Celtic. Yang Hyun-Jun replaces James Forrest.

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LIVE stream page 2

Postat 75 minutes
75′

Reo Hatate (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Postat 75 minutes
75′

Foul by David Watson (Kilmarnock).
Substitutionat 74 minutes
74′

Substitution, Kilmarnock. Bobby Wales replaces Liam Donnelly.
Postat 74 minutes
74′

Attempt missed. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Reo Hatate with a cross.
Postat 72 minutes
72′

Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Postat 72 minutes
72′

Foul by Liam Donnelly (Kilmarnock).
Postat 72 minutes
72′

Attempt blocked. Danny Armstrong (Kilmarnock) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Innes Cameron.
Bookingat 70 minutes
70′

Liam Donnelly (Kilmarnock) is shown the yellow card.
Postat 70 minutes
70′

Reo Hatate (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Postat 70 minutes
70′

Foul by Liam Donnelly (Kilmarnock).
Postat 69 minutes
69′

Attempt missed. Reo Hatate (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Postat 69 minutes
69′

Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Postat 68 minutes
68′

Offside, Kilmarnock. Fraser Murray is caught offside.
Postat 67 minutes
67′

Attempt missed. Rory McKenzie (Kilmarnock) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right following a corner.
Postat 66 minutes
66′

Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Callum McGregor.
Substitutionat 66 minutes
66′

Substitution, Kilmarnock. Innes Cameron replaces Kyle Vassell.
Substitutionat 65 minutes
65′

Substitution, Kilmarnock. Danny Armstrong replaces Matty Kennedy.
Substitutionat 65 minutes
65′

Substitution, Kilmarnock. Rory McKenzie replaces Liam Polworth.
Substitutionat 63 minutes
63′

Substitution, Celtic. Anthony Ralston replaces Alistair Johnston.
Substitutionat 63 minutes
63′

Substitution, Celtic. Luis Palma replaces Nicolas Kühn.

Postat 62 minutes
62′

Attempt saved. Nicolas Kühn (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by James Forrest.
Postat 61 minutes
61′

Liam Scales (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Postat 61 minutes
61′

Foul by Kyle Vassell (Kilmarnock).
Goal!at 59 minutes
59′

Goal! Celtic 3, Kilmarnock 0. Nicolas Kühn (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kyogo Furuhashi.
Postat 57 minutes
57′

Reo Hatate (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Postat 57 minutes
57′

Foul by Liam Donnelly (Kilmarnock).
Postat 57 minutes
57′

Alistair Johnston (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Postat 57 minutes
57′

Foul by Kyle Vassell (Kilmarnock).
Postat 57 minutes
57′

Attempt blocked. Reo Hatate (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Postat 57 minutes
57′

Attempt blocked. Liam Scales (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Postat 56 minutes
56′

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Liam Donnelly.
Postat 54 minutes
54′

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Liam Polworth.
Postat 54 minutes
54′

Attempt blocked. Reo Hatate (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by James Forrest.
Postat 52 minutes
52′

Foul by Alistair Johnston (Celtic).
Postat 52 minutes
52′

Matty Kennedy (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Postat 48 minutes
48′

Foul by Liam Scales (Celtic).
Postat 48 minutes
48′

Kyle Vassell (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Postat 47 minutes
47′

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Matty Kennedy.
Postat 46 minutes
46′

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Liam Donnelly.
Second Halfat 46 minutes
46′

Second Half begins Celtic 2, Kilmarnock 0.

Half Timeat 45 minutes plus 2
45’+2

First Half ends, Celtic 2, Kilmarnock 0.
Postat 45 minutes
45′

Attempt missed. Reo Hatate (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Matt O’Riley with a through ball.
Postat 43 minutes
43′

Attempt missed. Reo Hatate (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Matt O’Riley with a cross following a corner.
Postat 43 minutes
43′

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Kyle Vassell.
Postat 42 minutes
42′

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Robby McCrorie.
Postat 42 minutes
42′

Attempt saved. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Liam Scales.
Goal!at 40 minutes
40′

Goal! Celtic 2, Kilmarnock 0. Liam Scales (Celtic) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Matt O’Riley with a cross following a corner.
Postat 40 minutes
40′

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Brad Lyons.
Postat 39 minutes
39′

Reo Hatate (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Postat 39 minutes
39′

Foul by Liam Donnelly (Kilmarnock).
Postat 38 minutes
38′

Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
Postat 38 minutes
38′

Matty Kennedy (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Postat 37 minutes
37′

Foul by Liam Scales (Celtic).
Postat 37 minutes
37′

Kyle Vassell (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Postat 36 minutes
36′

Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Postat 35 minutes
35′

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Robby McCrorie.
Postat 35 minutes
35′

Attempt saved. Nicolas Kühn (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Postat 35 minutes
35′

Attempt saved. Nicolas Kühn (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Postat 35 minutes
35′

Attempt blocked. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is blocked.
Postat 35 minutes
35′

Attempt blocked. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by James Forrest.

LIVE stream page 5

Postat 30 minutes
30′

Attempt blocked. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Alistair Johnston.
Postat 28 minutes
28′

Attempt missed. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left misses to the left. Assisted by Liam Scales.
Postat 26 minutes
26′

Attempt saved. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by James Forrest.
Postat 25 minutes
25′

Attempt saved. Matty Kennedy (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kyle Vassell with a cross.
Postat 23 minutes
23′

Attempt saved. Liam Donnelly (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Postat 23 minutes
23′

Foul by Matt O’Riley (Celtic).
Postat 23 minutes
23′

Matty Kennedy (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Postat 21 minutes
21′

Attempt missed. Reo Hatate (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Callum McGregor following a corner.
Postat 20 minutes
20′

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Robby McCrorie.
Postat 20 minutes
20′

Attempt saved. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Matt O’Riley.
Postat 20 minutes
20′

Alistair Johnston (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Postat 20 minutes
20′

Foul by Matty Kennedy (Kilmarnock).
Postat 19 minutes
19′

Attempt missed. Reo Hatate (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Goal!at 17 minutes
17′

Goal! Celtic 1, Kilmarnock 0. Reo Hatate (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
Postat 16 minutes
16′

Attempt blocked. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Alistair Johnston.
Postat 14 minutes
14′

Foul by Reo Hatate (Celtic).
Postat 14 minutes
14′

Liam Donnelly (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Postat 14 minutes
14′

Attempt blocked. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Matt O’Riley.
Postat 13 minutes
13′

Liam Scales (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Postat 13 minutes
13′

Foul by Fraser Murray (Kilmarnock).

Postat 9 minutes
9′

Attempt missed. Matty Kennedy (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right.
Postat 5 minutes
5′

Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Postat 5 minutes
5′

Foul by Fraser Murray (Kilmarnock).
Postat 3 minutes
3′

Foul by Nicolas Kühn (Celtic).
Postat 3 minutes
3′

Oliver Bainbridge (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Kick Offat 1 minute
1′

First Half begins.
Postat 1 minute
1′

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.