Kasper Hogh announced himself in style for Celtic, scoring three first-half goals as the champions demolished Kilmarnock 5-1 at Rugby Park to move to the summit of the William Hill Premiership on goal difference, edging above St Mirren.
The emphatic victory came with manager Martin O'Neill absent from the touchline after spending a night in hospital earlier in the week following what the club described as a "small procedure." The 74-year-old had still made the effort to see his squad at their hotel before kick-off, with assistant Shaun Maloney taking charge of matters pitchside.
Whatever words passed between O'Neill and his players clearly resonated, as Celtic produced their most prolific league display since a similarly one-sided 5-1 win over Aberdeen back in May 2025.
Danish forward Hogh, a summer arrival from Bodo/Glimt, needed just 70 seconds to open his account in Celtic colours, rising to head home a cross from the left flank supplied by Arne Engels. Kilmarnock responded with intent, forcing saves from goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo and seeing efforts blocked and cleared, but the home side's positive spells did nothing to halt the visitors' momentum.
Celtic doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute when a defensive lapse from Kilmarnock centre-back Johnly Yfeko allowed a swift move involving Callum McGregor, Camilo Duran and Benjamin Nygren to tee up Hogh for a first-time finish. Two minutes later, the striker completed his treble, again exploiting space left by Yfeko straying out of position, nodding in a cross from Duran to complete the quickest of hat-tricks.
The scoring continued shortly after the restart when Nygren capitalised on an error from goalkeeper Max Stryjek to make it four just 100 seconds into the second half, prompting a steady stream of home supporters toward the exits. Duran then rattled the crossbar as Celtic threatened to add further to their tally.
Kilmarnock did pull one back in the 56th minute through Michael Schjonning-Larsen, who finished off a well-worked passing sequence, but it offered only brief consolation for the home faithful. Tempers flared on the sidelines as Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann was seen in a heated exchange with a supporter who had remained in the stands.
Substitute Luke McCowan wrapped up the scoring in the 75th minute, converting from a corner after Hogh had struck the post moments earlier. Stryjek was called into action late on to deny further Celtic goals, making stops to keep the scoreline at 5-1.
Among those watching on at Rugby Park was Fergus McCann, the club's former owner credited with reviving Celtic's fortunes off the pitch during the 1990s, making a rare appearance at a match.
Celtic fielded Alistair Johnston and Engels from the start despite reported interest from Everton and West Ham respectively, though Johnston was replaced by Colby Donovan at the interval with the game already decided.
Elsewhere in the Premiership, Hearts finally got their season moving under new manager Wouter Vrancken with a 4-0 win over Dundee United, ending a run of four straight defeats. Summer signings Tom Renaud, Calvin Miller and Josh McPake all scored on their first league starts, while Claudio Braga also found the net. In Glasgow, Rangers suffered a home defeat to Hibernian in Derek McInnes's first match in charge, with Callum Wright scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner after Rangers had equalised through a late own goal. Motherwell drew 0-0 with Falkirk ahead of their Conference League qualifier against HJK Helsinki.
Based on reporting from Independent Football.