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.
Read the full match report here.
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Image source, SNSCeltic assistant manager Shaun Maloney told BBC Sportsound: "Kasper Hogh 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. We created big chances at the end and defended when they had to. They were really good without the ball.
"I thought the back four and Callum (McGregor) and Arne (Engels) were really good. The attackers will get the headlines but the defenders and the two in front were excellent.
"We set a real benchmark today and for me it was built on the platform of how we were without the ball.
"The manager spoke to the team before we came here and he's a winner so his message was just to win. I haven't spoken to him yet but I'll call him when I'm on the bus.
"He'll be really pleased with the players and also with the staff. The medical team have done a really top job with the manager and we can't wait to get him back."
Image source, SNSCeltic will have to beat off interest from Burnley and Malaga if they want to bring left-back Greg Taylor back to the Scottish champions, with the 28-year-old Scotland cap open to a return from POAK. (Record - subscription required, external)
Image source, SNSKilmarnock defender Robbie Deas serves the second of a two-match ban after picking up too many yellow cards last season. Tyreece John-Jules is OK after coming off against St Johnstone last week with a facial knock.
Celtic winger Jota returned to training for the first time since April 2025 after recovering from an ACL injury but is weeks away from a comeback. Defender Liam Scales concludes his two-match ban for breaching the yellow cards threshold last term.
Image source, SNSCeltic defender Auston Trusty admits he missed the start of pre-season as his father was in hospital.
The centre-back made it to the round of 16 with the United States in their home World Cup and even scored in their 3-2 group stage defeat by Turkey.
Trusty, 27, was in the starting line-up for champions Celtic's 1-0 opening Scottish Premiership victory over Dundee on Monday - less than a month on from his final World Cup appearance.
But the defender admits there were some off-field issues that held up his return to Glasgow.
"Unfortunately, I finished the World Cup and then I had some family stuff go on with my father in the hospital," Trusty explained.
"So, I kind of quickly [went from] such a high to such a low. That's why I had some extra time off just because I was having that go on, which is really sad.
"I haven't really had a chance to really take in [what happened at the World Cup] because I finished the World Cup, the off-season stuff with my father went on and then I was dealing with that and then I've come back to pre-season. So, I haven't really had much time to really take it in.
"I missed a good portion of the pre-season, so I wasn't really there to see all the ins and outs of it. But yeah, I think there's a lot more to come from us, for sure."
Celtic continue their season with a trip to Kilmarnock and will play on the Ayrshire club's new hybrid grass pitch for the first time.
Kilmarnock were beaten 4-3 at St Johnstone in their season opener last weekend but Trusty is urging Celtic to focus on themselves.
"Obviously, it's a different surface and they didn't get off to the best starts last week," he said.
"It's more on us. We just need to play our game and do our thing. We've got to look inwards and play the Celtic way and play our game, that kind of takes care of itself.
"Obviously, they have good players and a good team and we can't take them lightly, but we've got to look inwards."
Image source, PA MediaHaissem Hassan has been left out of Real Oviedo's squad for their pre-season match against Le Havre on Saturday, with the 24-year-old Egypt winger the subject of a £9m bid from Celtic and awaiting the green light to have a medical. (Anthony Joseph, external)
Hassan is dealing with visa issues with an agreement in place to join Celtic on a contract until 2030, with Real Oviedo poised to make £6m, plus £1.3m more if the Premiership winners reach the Champions League proper. (George Tsarouchas, external)
Real Oviedo head coach Julian Calero has revealed they will not stand in the way of Hassan's move to Celtic. (Record - subscription required, external)
Celtic are ready to step up their interest in Heart of Midlothian forward Claudio Braga, while several clubs from overseas are also weighing up a move for the 26-year-old. (Pete O'Rourke, external)
Monaco have made Algeria 23-year-old Fares Ghedjemis their top priority for the right-wing position and plan an improved offer after a bid of £6m, plus £1.7m in bonuses, was rejected by Frosinone, who also turned down £8.6m bids from Celtic and Rangers. (L'Equipe - in French, external)
West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo has refused to comment on reported interest in Celtic midfielder Arne Engels and media claims the relegated club have yet to meet the £25m-plus valuation. (Glasgow Times, external)
Bolton Wanderers manager Steven Schumacher admits he would still love to bring Celtic striker Johnny Kenny back to the club after last season's loan but is unsure whether he can afford the 23-year-old. (Herald - subscription required, external)
Celtic have not made contact with Newcastle United or Nick Pope about a move for the 34-year-old as any transfer would be out of the Scottish champions' reach for a back-up goalkeeper. (Football Insider), external
There is nothing in stories in the Scottish media linking Celtic with 23-year-old Brondby midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic. (Farzam Abolhosseini via Tipsbladet, external)
Image source, SNSJota will be like a new signing when he returns to Celtic but assistant manager Shaun Maloney is urging supporters to "temper expectations" as it could still be a while before the winger returns.
The 27-year-old has been out of action since suffering an ACL injury at Tannadice in April last year but was pictured back training at Lennoxtown on Friday.
Manager Martin O'Neill had previously indicated it would likely be October before the winger would be back in competitive action for the Parkhead club
And while assistant Maloney is delighted to have Jota back training, he's urging patience around the forward's return.
"It's really positive for us," Maloney said of having Jota back in training.
"I've never worked with him. I've watched him, obviously, but we're all excited to get him back. He's still a matter of weeks. Today was the first day he had a full session in terms of doing every drill, but some of it was unopposed, so he's still not in full contact.
"It's still a matter of weeks. It's not going to be two or three weeks. He's still a bit to go, but it is really positive.
"He's had a really tough time and he's had a lot of weeks that haven't been positive. He spent some time in Portugal again, but the last couple of weeks he's looked good. As a coaching staff, we're really looking forward to having him back, it gives us a completely different type of winger."
When asked if Jota would be like a new signing when he does return, Maloney added: "He definitely will.
"We have to temper our expectation because it has been that long. Cameron Carter-Vickers was out for pretty much all of last season but he had six weeks of pre-season, Jota will need something similar.
"I think it will take him a bit of time to get back to his best but we're all excited to work with him and watch him. It's good news, really good news."
While Jota's return could be some time away, Celtic have signed just two players this summer, the fewest of any Scottish Premiership side.
Even though Maloney is delighted with the two acquisitions up front - strikers Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran, he feels there's still more business to be done.
"I think how we feel about that number nine position [with the additions of Hogh and Duran], I think we would love to feel like that in every position," Maloney said.
"But I'm also realistic that it doesn't work like that in the transfer window. Some things take longer than others.
"But, yes, I think as a coach or as a manager, I think you always want these players as quickly as possible.
"We've done probably over 40 sessions now in pre-season, so you'd love them on the very first day, but you're also realistic. So, in an ideal world, yes, but I think we also have to work with the squad that we have."
Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSAssistant manager Shaun Maloney has been speaking to the media as Celtic prepare for Sunday's trip to face Kilmarnock. Here are the main points:
After undergoing a "small procedure" in hospital earlier this week, Maloney says manager Martin O'Neill was "in good form" when he went to see him on Thursday.
Maloney confirms the 74-year-old got out of hospital on Thursday and is "loads better" than he was earlier this week.
However, the assistant manager does not know whether O'Neill will be back in the dugout for this weekend and insists it's "day to day" and it's up to the manager as to whether he'll be at the game on Sunday".
While Maloney insists "we'll miss him" if the Northern Irishman is not present, the staff "will be prepared".
Portuguese winger Jota, who has been sidelined for more than a year with injury, was spotted back in training on Friday but Maloney stresses "he's still a matter of weeks" away from a return and was not in full contact training.
Jota has had a "really tough time", says the assistant it is "really positive" to have him back.
Maloney is "not too sure" whether prospective new winger Haissem Hassan will be available before Celtic's Champions League play-off with LASK in a little over a week and admits it's mostly O'Neill and chief executive Michael Nicholson who have been in charge of transfers.
And Maloney insists he "doesn't see anything changing in the squad for this weekend".
He admits the club still need "strength and depth in certain other positions" and admits "there's a few that we're a little light on" but stresses "the club are working hard to do them and we definitely need that done".
He says "nothing has changed" with regards to Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels despite reported interest from clubs in England and stresses "the two of them are training really well".
Maloney says Kilmarnock's new pitch "looks brilliant" and recalls "we had a really difficult game against them last year" and is hoping for "a really good game", albeit a "tough game".
Team news: Jota is the only player unavailable for Sunday's match.
Image source, PA MediaHaissem Hassan was part of Egypt's World Cup squad
Celtic have submitted an offer of around 11m euros for Oviedo's Egypt winger Haissem Hassan, 24. (Juan Velazquez, external)
Oviedo are likely to accept Celtic's £9m offer for Hassan, with only some details to be finalised. (Anthony Joseph, external)
Oviedo are finalising Hassan's departure. (La Nueva Espana - in Spanish, external)
Celtic remain in the market for a new goalkeeper and left-back. (Sun, external)
Image source, SNSNo player has scored more goals (17) or winning goals (6) than Celtic's Benjamin Nygren in the Scottish Premiership since the beginning of last season.
Kilmarnock have lost their past eight meetings with Celtic in all competitions, last enduring a longer losing run to the Hoops from April 2003 to April 2007 (16).
This will be the 250th league meeting between Kilmarnock and Celtic, the eighth side the Parkhead club have faced 250+ times. Celtic won their 250th game against all but one of the previous seven, drawing 1-1 with St Mirren in May 2023.
Kilmarnock lost their first league game of the season against St Johnstone and if they fail to win this game it'll be the 13th time in their past 16 top-flight seasons they've not won either of their first two matches.
Celtic have won their past eight Scottish Premiership games since a 2-0 defeat at Dundee United in March - they last endured a longer winning streak in the league between April and October 2024 under Brendan Rodgers (13).
Canada right-back Alistair Johnston, 27, has reportedly told Celtic he wants to join Everton. (Record - subscription required, external)
Image source, SNSJohn Collins says Celtic must not cash in on key duo Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels until after their Champions League play-off.
Martin O'Neill's side face LASK in Europe later this month, having failed at the same stage against Kazakh side Kairat Almaty last term.
Canada right-back Johnston is wanted by Everton, while Celtic have turned down a bid from West Ham for Belgium midfielder Engels.
Celtic's recruitment strategy has come under question in recent seasons after Kyogo Furuhashi, Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn were all sold, with their replacements largely flattering to deceive.
And the club's former midfielder Collins says Celtic must have adequate replacements lined up if Johnston and Engels are allowed to leave this summer.
"It's always a challenge, selling good, established players and bringing in new talent," Collins said.
"It's nothing new, that's the merry-go-round that all the clubs have. You sign young players, you develop them, the big boys from England come with the big money and tempt the players and ultimately you end up selling them for top dollar and you've got to replace them.
"The secret is, you have the replacement lined up. The day they leave, the replacement's in, or the replacement's in before they leave.
"It's not as easy as it sounds but I'd like to think Celtic won't be selling any of them before the Champions League qualifier. I think that would be a risk.
"If you ask any Celtic fan, they want to be with the big guns in the Champions League. They never got it last year.
"It was bitterly disappointing to go out against a weak team, so hopefully they can keep those key players that the big boys are after, get the result, get through and then if they have to sell them, they get good offers after that, and hopefully Celtic have had the time…
"I think everybody knew there was every chance there were going to be offers coming in for those two players, so they've had time to look for replacements."
Celtic have made just two summer signings so far - spending significant money on attacking duo Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran.
"I'm happy with the two forward players they've brought in, but they're still needing to strengthen the squad, there's no doubt about that," Collins added.
"I'd like to see another midfielder with energy and legs, and I'd like to see another winger in, and maybe another centre-half. I think they definitely need to strengthen all over the pitch."
Image source, SNSRecord signing Kasper Hogh started Monday night's 1-0 win over Dundee
The click is ticking towards Celtic's most important games of the season.
The first leg of the Champions League play-off against LASK takes place at Parkhead on 19 August and the squad is in urgent need of reinforcements, with strikers Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh the only new arrivals this summer.
Paulo Bernardo's loan exit on Tuesday night was the 17th departure from the first-team squad, while Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston are being pursued by West Ham and Everton respectively.
Stephen McGowan, football writer for The Herald, is expecting Celtic to spend big this summer but when will those deals be done?
"The message from Martin O'Neill l is quality over quantity," McGowan told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.
"I think that's fair enough. I think that's what people want to see to give them have a chance of succeeding in Europe.
"I think they will spend a pretty substantial amount of money for a Scottish club at end of this window. I think it'll be in excess of £40m, they bring most of that in in terms of players they are selling.
"But the frustration for supporters is how long it seems to drag on because you're looking at a Champions League play-off, the first leg is two weeks away and you're going to have to bring in a right winger, probably two midfielders, a right-back, they still want a goalkeeper, they don't really have a back-up left-back.
"I just think it's an awful lot of work to give yourself to do in a relatively short space of time ahead of what is going to be arguably the two most important games of the season."
Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter
Jack Walton - Dundee United
Made several important stops as Dundee United matched Rangers at Tannadice.
Lewis Mayo - Aberdeen
Bundled a vital equaliser home as Aberdeen snatched three points at the death against Hearts.
Martin Moormann - Motherwell
An impressive defensive performance from the Austrian as Motherwell repelled Hibernian's second-half pressure.
Cheick Diabate - St Johnstone
A goal and another big showing from the St Johnstone centre-back as Simo Valakari's side edged a seven-goal thriller against Kilmarnock.
Henry Fieldson - St Mirren
The versatile signing from Queen's Park had a superb St Mirren league debut.
Kieran Tierney - Celtic
Felt like the Kieran Tierney of old. He swung in a sublime assist for Benjamin Nygren's winning goal.
Thelo Aasgaard - Rangers
A moment of real quality to equalise and repay the faith shown in him by manager Derek McInnes.
Killian Phillips - St Mirren
Energy personified. The Irish midfielder made all the difference, scoring twice, as St Mirren beat Falkirk on Saturday.
Jamie Gullan - St Johnstone
Full of guile in their Championship-winning season and normal service resumed in the swashbuckling win over Kilmarnock. Five key passes and two assists for the tricky wide man.
Ibrahim Said - Motherwell
His delight was clear to see as he finished off a fine Motherwell passing move to put Hibs to the sword at Easter Road.
Kevin Nisbet - Aberdeen
The Aberdeen captain thoroughly enjoyed his celebration as he handled the pressure of winning the match for Aberdeen from the penalty spot deep in added time.
Image source, Getty ImagesFares Ghedjemis joined Frosinone in 2024
Celtic are pushing for a deal to sign Fares Ghedjemis from Frosinone, who want 9.5m euros for the Algeria winger, 23. (Sebastien Vidal, external)
President Maurizio Stirpe says Frosinone do not need to sell Ghedjemis but the Italian club are willing to listen to offers. (Glasgow Times, external)
Celtic and Rangers, who have also been linked with Ghedjemis, would need to part with an eight-figure fee to secure the winger. (Scotsman - subscription required, external)
Brentford may sanction another loan move to Celtic for defender Benjamin Arthur, 20. (Football Insider, external)
Celtic defender Dane Murray is among Dundee's list of targets but the Scottish champions are not interested in loaning out the 23-year-old. (Courier - subscription required, external)
Marcelo Saracchi, the 28-year-old left-back who was on loan at Celtic from Boca Juniors last season and had been linked with a return to Glasgow, has reportedly joined Houston Dynamo. (National - subscription required, external)
Image source, SNSOut-of-favour Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo has joined Gornik Zabrze on loan, with the Polish top-flight runners-up having an option to buy.
The 24-year-old Portuguese has made 64 appearances for the Scottish champions since signing from Benfica in September 2023 initially on loan, before signing permanently the following August, on a five-year deal.
More than half of those appearances have been as a substitute, he last started a game in February and he was not part of Martin O'Neill's squad for Monday's season-opening 1-0 win over Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.
Bernardo joins Gornik as they prepare to visit Ferencvaros in the Europa League third qualifying round on Wednesday.
Michal Gasparik's side dropped down from Champions League qualifying after last week's 2-1 aggregate defeat by Fenerbahce.
They started their season with a 3-1 defeat by league champions Lech Poznan in the Polish Super Cup but beat Slask Wroclaw 2-1 in the opening game of the Ekstraklasa season.
Image source, SNSCeltic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers admits he is still "a work in progress" after returning to action following almost nine months out with an Achilles injury.
The USA international made his comeback in Monday's season-opening 1-0 victory against Dundee and while delighted to be back on the pitch, he says there's improvements to come from himself and the team.
"Obviously, pre-season I only played 60 minutes. So the last 15, 20 there was difficult," the 28-year-old said.
"But yeah, it's good to be back in competitive games. I probably missed about eight, nine months of football. It's never going to be quick to get back to kind of exactly where you want to be. But it's a work in progress and I'm feeling pretty good.
"Obviously good result, three points, that's all we were after. I thought we probably could have scored a few more goals with the chances that we had.
"So yeah, first game of the season, something to build on and keep trying to improve."
Martin O'Neill's side are two weeks away from their crucial Champions League play-off against Austrians LASK and have opted to postpone their Premiership game at St Johnstone that was due to be played between the two legs.
And Carter-Vickers admits the extra preparation will be beneficial.
"This is a key fixture," he added.
"It's key to how your season's going to play out. It's definitely an important game and I do see that [rescheduling] as positive.
"We're ready. We found out who we're playing. I think any game we had would have been a tough tie for us. We're looking forward to it and we'll go in there with positivity."
Celtic fell at the same round last year after two goalless draws with Kazakh side Kairat Almaty, who progress on penalties.
When asked what Celtic have learned from last year's disappointment, Carter-Vickers added: "Score a goal. I'm joking. Obviously, we know whoever you get in the qualifiers will be a tough tie.
"So, we've got to go there, first at home and do our best to win the game and then try and go away and get the result we want."
