The trip to Rugby Park saw Celtic take another step towards the title as Ange Postecoglou’s men served up another three points with an impressive win over Kilmarnock.
A blistering first-half performance saw the Hoops surge to a 4-0 lead within half an hour against the relegation battlers, but it could have been so much worse for the home side had the woodwork not denied a Kyogo Furuhashi penalty.
However, it was the starting lineup that surprised the Celtic support with two major performers not even included in the squad.
Ange Postecoglou confirmed in his pre-match press conference during the week that there were no new injury worries so you could understand why the exclusion of Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers may have worried the fans.
Speaking pre-match to BBC Sportsound, Postecoglou put the fan’s fears to rest as he explained both players’ omission from the team, “It was a combination of things. The pitch is not too kind to them. They pulled up pretty sore the last time they played on here. But I also wanted to freshen up the team a bit.
“Haksabanovic, Tomoki and Yuki Kobayashi have been working hard at training and hopefully, they will bring some energy I think we are going to need today.”
Kobayashi had very little to do this afternoon but he did show glimpses of his strength and passing ability. Iwata was very composed in the middle of the park and Hakasabanovic had a fine first-half display, even having a hand in Celtic’s second goal.
Celtic remain twelve points clear at the top of the table with Motherwell to face at Fir Park just before the split. If we defeat the Lanarkshire side next Saturday, the Bhoys will be within touching distance of another Scottish Premiership title victory.
In other news, Yet another Celtic youngster makes a breakthrough; Ange prediction coming true.
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