New Celtic striker Kasper Hogh provided a much-needed boost for the recovering Martin O’Neill with a first-half hat-trick during Celtic’s 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. The win allowed the champions to leapfrog St Mirren in the William Hill Premiership standings on goal difference.
While O’Neill rested after a recent overnight hospital stay due to a “small procedure,” Shaun Maloney took the reins as head coach and guided the team to their highest-scoring league performance since a similar 5-1 win over Aberdeen in May 2025. O’Neill visited the players at their hotel before the match.
Benjamin Nygren extended Celtic’s lead shortly after halftime, followed by a consolation goal for Kilmarnock from Michael Schjonning-Larsen. Despite creating several chances early in the match, Kilmarnock fell behind within the first two minutes when Hogh scored from close range after a cross from Engels.
Celtic continued to create opportunities, with Camilo Duran, Engels, and Nygren all threatening before doubling their lead in the 33rd minute. Hogh capitalized on a defensive error from Killie center-back Johnly Yfeko, scoring after a series of quick passes from Callum McGregor, Duran, and Nygren. Just two minutes later, Hogh completed his hat-trick from a Duran cross.
Kilmarnock fans began to exit just after the second half started when Nygren scored after a mistake from Kilmarnock goalkeeper Max Stryjek. The match grew increasingly tense, with Killie manager Neil McCann clashing with a supporter who remained in the stands. Though Kilmarnock managed a brief moment of optimism with Schjonning-Larsen’s goal in the 56th minute, it was short-lived.
Hogh was denied a chance to increase his tally when he headed off the post, but Luke McCowan soon added to the scoreline to finish 5-1. As Celtic celebrated their decisive win, former Celtic owner Fergus McCann—a key figure in the club’s resurgence in the 1990s—was also present at the match.
Elsewhere in the league, Hearts began their campaign with a strong 4-0 win over Dundee United, featuring goals from Wouter Vrancken’s three new signings. Additionally, Rangers faced a tough home defeat against Hibernian, despite an attempt to salvage a draw late in the game.