Kilmarnock 1 Celtic 5

Kilmarnock were comfortably defeated by Scottish Premiership champions Celtic 5-1 on matchday two of the 2026/27 season.

The game marked a return to a natural grass pitch at BBSP Stadium Rugby Park for the first time in over 12 years.

Unfortunately, it was the visitors who started the game on the front foot, and made their advantage count after only one minute on the clock as Hogh – brought in for a record £11m transfer fee – headed in a Yang cross at the back post.

Killie looked to hit straight back. Good play by Greg Kiltie and Tyreece John-Jules saw the ball cut back inside the box for Aaron Tshibola. His effort was well saved, but resulted in a scramble inside the six-yard box. Erik Ring got to the ball first, but couldn’t quite divert his shot goal-bound.

The skipper then went close with an effort after a great dummy by John-Jules. Tom Lowery then had a shot saved after a corner routine laid off to the edge of the box. As Killie pushed hard for an equaliser, dominating the play, John-Jules then saw his looping header tipped over the bar by Sinisalo.

Max Stryjek had to be alert at the other end though as he cleared the danger from an Engels shot from distance, before turning a Duran effort away for a corner. He then pulled off a quite remarkable stop from Hogh, before a combination of Jamie Brandon and George Stanger prevented Kieran Tierney from finding Celtic’s second.

Johnly Yfeko came in for his debut having signed a two-year contract before the St Johnstone game last week. And the former Rangers man impressed with some vital blocks and great physicality on display.

However, in what was an extremely open first-half, Hogh would double his tally with a first-time finish into the bottom corner after some slack play at the back. He would score his hat-trick just a couple of minutes later as Celtic his Killie on the counter.

Into the second-half, it didn’t take long for Celtic to add another goal. Stryjek made an error when in comfortable possession of the ball, passing it straight to Nygren who easily picked his spot.

However, the hosts would get on the scoresheet after 56 minutes when Michael Schjønning-Larsen found the bottom corner with a fine finish after brilliant build up play on the right by Kiltie, John-Jules and Lowery.

McCowan would come off the bench to add a fifth for the Hoops, who were managed by Shaun Maloney on the day.

Crowd: 8,353.

Team: Stryjek, Brandon, Ring, Hugill, John-Jules (Rice, 74’), Kiltie, Stanger, Yfeko, Lowery, Schjønning-Larsen (O’Hara, 74’), Tshibola.

Unused subs: Ferrie, McKenzie, Cleșcenco, Thomson, Schilte Brown, Owen, Bowie.

Booked: Hugill.