After last week’s stumble, Celtic delivered exactly the kind of answer champions give — ruthless, relentless, and full of fire.
At Paradise, they dismantled Kilmarnock 5-1, a performance that reminded everyone why they wear the crown.
From the first whistle, the Bhoys were unplayable. Reo Hatate, unpredictable but capable of magic, struck first with a goal that set the tempo.
Just minutes later, Daizen Maeda — lightning in boots — doubled the lead with his 31st of the season, a finish brimming with pace and precision.
Then came a thunderbolt. Cameron Carter-Vickers, the defensive rock, unleashed a 25-yard strike that ripped into the top corner. His January 2024 contract extension until 2029 is looking more valuable by the day.
Hatate wasn’t done either; another composed finish made it 4-0 before Kilmarnock’s Danny Armstrong pulled one back with a strike that owed more to fortune than design.
Drama followed. Maeda thought he’d bagged the fifth, only for VAR to intervene and scrub it off — a decision that left the stands fuming. Still, Celtic’s dominance rolled on after the break.
Kilmarnock offered almost nothing in reply. One effort drifted wide on 66 minutes, and that was their story. Celtic kept the pressure high, with Arne Engels rattling the crossbar before the final flourish arrived.
Deep into added time, Anthony Ralston — ever determined, ever ready — slotted home to seal a commanding 5-1 victory.
With the Scottish Cup semi-final looming and the league race narrowing to the wire, this was more than just three points.
It was a statement: Celtic’s bite is back, and the finish line is within reach.