Five things we learned as Celtic breeze past Kilmarnock

Add as preferred source on Google

Celtic head into the international break in positive spirits after brushing aside Kilmarnock in a 4-0 hammering.

The Hoops took the lead in the first-half as the in-form Johnny Kenny was on hand to tuck home Reo Hatate’s cut-back.

Martin O’Neill’s side then turned the screw in the second half as Kieran Tierney bagged his first goal in Celtic colours since returning in the summer.

Arne Engels made a huge impact off the bench and provided the assist for Daizen Maeda to score a third before the Belgian midfielder then scored from the penalty spot as the Bhoys ran out as comfortable winners.

With that, here are five things 67 Hail Hail learned from Celtic 4-0 Kilmarnock.

• READ MORE: What ‘frustrated’ Stuart Kettlewell told his players after Celtic hammered Kilmarnock

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey finally makes Celtic debut

It has been a long time coming, but Jahmai Simpson-Pusey finally got the chance to play in front of the Celtic faithful for the first time.

Despite being highly-rated by Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City youngster has had to wait in the wings to be given his opportunity.

Now that Brendan Rodgers has gone, Simpson-Pusey was given his opportunity on Sunday afternoon, and certainly didn’t do himself any harm in terms of of future minutes.

Playing in the right-back slot, he was very consistent with his passes and wasn’t afraid to get stuck in. A solid start.

Is Arne Engels finally beginning to deliver?

Arne Engels’ Celtic career has been very stop-start since becoming the Hoops’ record signing, but it seems like he is finally beginning to show what he is made of.

The midfielder came off the bench in the second half and had a role to play in two of the four goals.

As well as that, he also seemed up for the physical side of the game, buzzing around and doing anything he could to win the ball back.

Engels’ shackles have finally come off and it feels that we’re slowly getting the best of him.

Was that Martin O’Neill’s last game as Celtic manager?

No matter how many games pass by, it will still be surreal seeing O’Neill back in the dugout.

Chris Sutton has warned his former boss about ruining his legacy by staying too long, but three wins from four games would be a good way to go.

There were no signs to suggest that he would be moving on in the coming days, but the management search is expected to step up a notch, therefore meaning the 73-year-old may have taken charge for the last time.

Hearts are within sight

In addition to picking up an important three points, the win for Celtic meant they were able to chip away at Hearts’ points total after they drew at home to Dundee United.

That gap is now seven points heading into the international break and because the Bhoys have a game in hand, it could be reduced to four.

The two play each other on 7 December, and that could have a real big say in where the trophy ends up in May.

Another one to the injury pile

Injuries have been a problem for Celtic in the past few weeks as the likes of Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers have all been ruled out for various lengths of time.

Sadly, another joined them on the treatment table as full-back Marcelo Saracchi pulled up with a hamstring problem and had to be replaced by Tierney.

Hopefully it will be nothing serious and the Uruguay international will return after the international break, but there are obvious concerns.