Celtic's Kasper Hogh scoresSNS

Kasper Hogh put Celtic on the road to victory with three well-taken goals

At a glance

  • Kasper Hogh scores first Celtic goals with first-half hat-trick

  • Benjamin Nygren adds to lead, but Michael Schjonning-Larsen replies before Luke McCowan restores advantage

  • Celtic led by Shaun Maloney in absence of Martin O'Neill after time in hospital

Kilmarnock v Celtic highlights

9/8/2026

Watch on iPlayer
Andy Coyle
BBC Sport Scotland

Kasper Hogh scored his first Celtic goals as his hat-trick steered Celtic to an emphatic victory away to Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership in the absence of Martin O'Neill.

The veteran manager missed the game as he continued convalescing at home following "a small procedure" in hospital earlier this week, with assistant Shaun Maloney guiding the reigning champions to a second win of the new season.

Celltic enjoyed a dream start on the new grass surface at Rugby Park, taking the lead after just 64 seconds.

Kieran Tierney fed Arne Engels on the left and his cross was met by Hogh and the summer arrival from Bodo/Glimt rose to firmly head home.

Kilmarnock responded well but failed to take advantage of some good chances in a lively opening period and Celtic went on to punish their defensive mistakes.

The visitors got their second just after the half-hour mark, with Camilo Duran pouncing on Johnly Yfeko's slack pass out of defence and starting a quick passing move that ended with Hogh squeezing a tidy finish past goalkeeper Max Stryjek and into the bottom corner.

Moments later, the Danish striker completed his hat-trick with another header, finding himself unmarked and perfectly positioned when Duran's cross was lifted over Stryjek to the back post.

Celtic were creating chances almost at will but could not add to the scoreline before the break.

However, matters went from bad to worse for the hosts immediately after the restart, with a Stryjek howler handing Celtic a fourth.

The goalkeeper passed the ball directly to Benjamin Nygren, who composed himself before burying a finish into the top corner.

Duran and Yang went close, but Kilmarnock got on the scoresheet when Michael Schjonning-Larsen finished off a flowing move that had cut through the Celtic defence.

Luke McCowan added a fifth from a corner, the midfielder scoring with his first touch moments after coming on as a substitute, to round off a comfortable win for the champions.

Hogh starts to repay fee - analysis

The club record fee Celtic paid to Bodo/Glimt for Hogh means he moved to Glasgow with a weight of expectation, but his competitive debut against Dundee last week did not quite deliver as a few good chances for an impressive introduction were spurned.

If there was any frustration in the week waiting for another opportunity to make an impact, it was dispelled instantly as the number nine gave Celtic a comfortable cushion and the platform for an encouraging performance.

Champions League goals against big names like Manchester City and Atletico Madrid, along with regular returns in domestic competition with the overachieving Norwegians, had underlined his goalscoring ability.

However, even amid the excitement over his arrival there were some who questioned whether he could hit the heights away from Bodo/Glimt's well-oiled machine.

On this evidence, Hogh can thrive in the Premiership. The three goals the Dane helped himself to were not individually eye-catching but showed a player who can constantly find space in the box and knows where the goal is.

Kilmarnock's defending made for a welcoming environment for the striker and also handed Nygren and McCowan goals that help Celtic build early momentum.

For home manager Neil McCann, the openness and lapses at the back that let Celtic help themselves will be a serious concern, especially after Kilmarnock conceded four to newly-promoted St Johnstone on opening day.

The hosts, back playing on grass at home after their controversial artificial surface was replaced in the summer, played well in spells and could easily have drawn level in the first half hour.

However, they need to tighten up in defence if they are to avoid a repeat of the relegation worries that dogged the team until the final games of last season.

What they said

'I take full responsibility' - McCann on Celtic defeat

Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann: "I'll take responsibility for that today.

"I know we made some mistakes on the pitch, but I went quite quite aggressive today and quite open. We've made some errors within that and we were punished by a really good Celtic side. When their tails are up, you can see how well they move it around.

"We've got a massive game on Friday in the cup against Ayr United and we'll look to put things right."

Celtic assistant Shaun Maloney: "Kasper had a brilliant game. He probably had as many chances today as he did against Dundee, but that's the life of a striker - you have to be there to take them.

"His all-round game today was very good. He gave us a platform to play. Kilmarnock tried to press us really aggressively, man for man, and everything that went up to him he held, so we were able to run off of him.

"I was really happy with the team. I loved the creativity because we created a lot, but the biggest thing was the mentality. We were at 100%, full throttle and never really came off that."

'O'Neill's only message was win the game'

What's next?

Kilmarnock face rivals Ayr United in the League Cup second round on Friday night (19:45 BST), while Celtic travel to take on Dundee United in their knockout tie on Saturday (17:45).

Player of the match

K. Høgh
9.48
1 M. Stryjek
4.55
21 M. Schjønning-Larsen
4.26
18 T. Lowery
3.98
8 E. Ring
3.93
10 T. John-Jules
3.90
9 J. Hugill
3.82
2 J. Brandon
3.78
15 J. Yfeko
3.78
11 G. Kiltie
3.76
36 A. Tshibola
3.69
14 G. Stanger
3.62
49 B. Rice
3.40
5 M. O'Hara
3.36
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