Celtic's record signing Kasper Hogh delivered an emphatic response to any early doubts about his ability, scoring a first-half hat-trick to inspire a commanding 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
The Danish forward, who arrived at Celtic Park for a club-record £11m fee, needed just 64 seconds to open the scoring, guiding home a close-range header from Arne Engels' delivery before many supporters had even settled into their seats. He wasted little time adding to his tally, converting a composed low finish before completing his treble with a diving header, all within the opening 35 minutes of the match.
The performance marked a significant turnaround from his Premiership debut against Dundee, where he struggled to find the net despite several opportunities. Any concerns about his adaptation to Scottish football appeared to evaporate at Rugby Park, as Hogh showcased the clinical instincts that made him a prolific scorer during his time in Norway.
It was the first hat-trick by a Celtic forward in league competition since James Forrest achieved the feat against Hibernian in October 2022, underlining the significance of Hogh's outburst. Daizen Maeda had previously scored trebles for the club, though only in cup competitions.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Hogh attributed his sharp finishing to preparation, joking that his exploits were simply down to