GLASGOW, United Kingdom — Celtic edged back ahead of
Rangers on goal
difference at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a 5–0 thrashing of
Kilmarnock on Sunday as both Moritz Jenz and Giorgos Giakoumakis scored
overhead kicks.
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Kyogo Furuhashi,
Jota and Carl Starfelt were also on target in a dominant display from Ange
Postecoglou’s champions to maintain their perfect start after three games.
The Hoops needed
two late goals to see off Ross County last weekend, but got off to a flying
start when Furuhashi turned in Daizen Maeda’s cross after just seven minutes.
Celtic did not
let the plastic pitch or the baking temperatures slow them down as Jota’s
blistering strike into the top corner and Jenz’s second goal in as many games
for the club killed the game off before half-time.
“We knew that
(the pitch) was one of our challenges today, along with it being a hot day to
try and play the football we want to,” said Postecoglou.
“The boys’
attitude was first rate.
“It was a great
start for us. Last week we scored late and we said we want to wear teams down.
That doesn’t discount the fact we want to start strong and put teams away
early.”
Kilmarnock
manager Derek McInnes had spoken before the game about his determination to
make life as difficult as possible for the champions.
But the former
Aberdeen boss was disappointed by his side’s defending.
Starfelt was
given two chances at a gaping goal to open his Celtic account on his 50th
appearance for the club.
“We’re not ready
to take on
Celtic yet, but we are better than what we showed today, certainly
with our defending,” said McInnes.
Giakoumakis then
saved the best for last. The Greek striker acrobatically swiveled to fire
through Sam Walker’s legs.
Sunday’s other
match in Scotland’s top-flight saw Hearts move up into third place with a 4–1
defeat of Dundee United.
Lawrence
Shankland opened the scoring for Hearts inside the first minute and the
Edinburgh club doubled their lead early in the second half through Barrie
McKay.
Jorge Grant made
it 3–0 before Dundee United pulled a goal back through a Steven Fletcher
penalty only for Josh Ginnelly to complete the scoring in stoppage time.
Defeat left United
— hammered 7–0 by Dutch club AZ Alkmaar in midweek as they exited the Europa
Conference League with a record-equalling loss for a Scottish club in Europe —
third from bottom.
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