Kasper Hogh scored a first-half hat-trick as Celtic thrashed Kilmarnock 5-1 at Rugby Park, ending any doubts about the Danish striker's ability to adjust to Scottish Premiership football.
Hogh had made a low-key debut in Celtic's 1-0 win over Dundee last week and afterwards suggested he might need time to adapt after several years playing on plastic pitches for Bodo Glimt in the Norwegian top flight. The comment drew attention on social media, with rival fans posting footage of chances he had missed alongside his interview.
Any adaptation period was short-lived. Hogh, signed for a club-record fee of £11million, headed Celtic in front after just over 60 seconds when he met an Arne Engels cross from the left with a header into the bottom corner.
He doubled his tally in the 33rd minute, latching onto a pass from Benjamin Nygren and firing a first-time shot low into the bottom corner with his right foot. Two minutes later he completed his hat-trick, stooping to head home a Camilo Duran cross from the back post.
Kilmarnock's new pitch and mounting problems
The match marked the start of a new era at Rugby Park, with Kilmarnock unveiling a state-of-the-art grass pitch after ripping up their plastic surface, in place for 12 years, over the summer. The new surface was slick and greasy after heavy lunchtime showers in Ayrshire.
Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann made two changes from the 4-3 defeat to St Johnstone on the opening weekend, bringing in Jamie Brandon and Johnly Yfeko, the latter making his debut. Ethan Schilte-Brown dropped to the bench and Nicky Clescenco was not in the squad.
Kilmarnock responded well to going behind early, and only a last-ditch goalline clearance from Auston Trusty denied Aaron Tshibola after five minutes. Goalkeeper Max Stryjek then produced a double save, tipping a Nygren shot onto the bar before repelling a Hogh header, and also denied a powerful effort from Kieran Tierney.
Celtic dominant despite Engels transfer talk
Celtic played with what the source described as guile and artistry, moving the ball with one and two-touch football at a tempo too quick for Kilmarnock. Midfielder Arne Engels, subject of strong interest from a number of English Premier League clubs, combined well with Nygren, though there is no suggestion he is pushing for a move.
Kilmarnock were booed off at half-time after repeatedly losing possession in dangerous areas, including a costly error from Yfeko in the build-up to Celtic's second goal.
The second half began just as badly for the home side. Stryjek gifted the ball straight to Nygren as Kilmarnock tried to play out from the back, and Nygren lifted it over the sprawling goalkeeper to make it 4-0.
Late goals as Kilmarnock sink to the bottom
Kilmarnock pulled a goal back through Michael Schjonning-Larsen just before the hour mark, but there was no serious prospect of a fightback. Duran hit the bar for Celtic, and Hogh's header came back off the post as he searched for a fourth goal of his own.
Substitute Luke McCowan scored with his first touch moments after coming on to make it 5-1, prompting home supporters to head for the exits.
Kilmarnock have now conceded nine goals in their opening two matches of the season and sit bottom of the table. They face bitter rivals Ayr United in the League Cup next weekend, a game manager Neil McCann may need to win to preserve the credit he built up at the end of last season.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill was absent from the dugout following a health scare earlier in the week, with Shaun Maloney taking charge of the team. There is no set timeline for when O'Neill might return, but the result was described in the source as a performance dedicated to him.
