Everything you need to know about Celtic 5-1 win against Kilmarnock as Reo Hatate and Cameron Carter-Vickers performance shocked the crowd

Report on Celtic’s victory over Kilmarnock; Reo Hatate scored the opening goal; Daizen Maeda added a second before Cameron Carter-Vickers’ extraordinary effort. Hatate scored four points before Danny Armstrong clawed one back. The fifth goal was scored by Antony Ralston. Should Rangers suffer a defeat at Aberdeen on Sunday, Celtic will secure the championship.

Celtic returned to their peak form with a remarkable first-half display, securing a 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock and maintaining their position as contenders for the Scottish Premiership title.

Brendan Rodgers was visibly enraged following their failure to secure the title in front of their home supporters following their loss to St Johnstone. However, Reo Hatate’s astounding opening goal sent Parkhead into a frenzy.

Daizen Maeda scored another goal just two minutes after that 25-yard strike, and Cameron Carter-Vickers scored a powerful drive from distance to give them a three-goal lead.

Hatate increased the score to 4-0 after 24 minutes, but the visitors were able to score a goal when Danny Armstrong’s cross was put into the net. Next, Maeda had another goal disallowed by the video assistant referee (VAR) prior to the break.

In stoppage time, Anthony Ralston emerged from the substitutes to advance the score to five following a lacklustre second half.

If Rangers lose at Aberdeen on Sunday, Celtic will secure the Premiership title, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Kilmarnock, on the other hand, will be involved in a relegation battle in the bottom six.

Celtic will be crowned champions for the fourth consecutive season and the 13th time in 14 years if Rangers lose. However, there is little doubt that the Parkhead side will eventually achieve this goal. There are only 15 points remaining to play for.

In the aftermath of the McDiarmid Park performance, Rodgers pledged to implement changes next summer. Furthermore, he implemented more imminent changes to his team, including the return of veteran winger James Forrest, defenders Liam Scales and Greg Taylor, and attacker Adam Idah.

The visitors were taken aback by Celtic’s rapid start, and they soon found themselves 1-goal down.

Hatate, a Japanese midfielder, played a ricochet pass to Taylor and produced an unstoppable shot from 25 yards that eluded Killie custodian Kieran O’Hara.

Hoops midfielder Arne Engels played in overlapping right-back Alistair Johnston, whose cross evaded defender Lewis Mayo on the line and fell to Maeda, who touched it into an empty net for his 31st Celtic goal of the season. Kilmarnock were still grappling with the early setback.

After four minutes, Johnston provided Hatate with another cutback from the right, and the Hoops playmaker took a touch before sliding the ball into the corner from 12 yards, with the Kilmarnock defence all over the place. Hatate scored his second goal.

The deficit was reduced by the shell-shocked visitors when Armstrong turned on his left foot on the right side and lofted the ball high over Hoops’keeper Viljami Sinisalo. However, the shot could have been mistaken for a cross rather than a goal.

The Celtic team returned, and Maeda was able to score from eight yards after O’Hara blocked a close-range effort from Hatate. However, the VAR ruled the play offside.

The game was at a standstill until Engels struck the crossbar in the 77th minute. Subsequently, Ralston, who had replaced Johnston, scored with an angled drive in the final three minutes of added time, putting Celtic on the verge of achieving yet another title.

Brendan Rodgers anticipates that Greg Taylor, the player of the match, will reconsider his future after his contract expires at the conclusion of the season.

“I thought he was brilliant for us,” Rogers stated to Sky Sports. “When you play against a man-marking system, you must be able to rotate and be flexible, not mechanical.” Otherwise, the positions are not available to you. He was a genuine catalyst for us, as he entered and established territory.

For a player and individual such as Greg, I will always fight to the bitter end. Of course, he has earned the right to make the decision he desires; however, I believe the performance today demonstrates the significance of an individual in that position to us.

Therefore, we will continue to endeavour to persuade; however, we will observe the outcome at the conclusion of the season.

Rodgers further elaborated on Celtic’s performance, stating, “We required a response, and what I had previously stated about the Celtic player and the team is that it is about the winning attitude and the winning ambition.”

“When you combine that with talent, particularly in the first half, it was truly exceptional.” Goals, connections, combinations, and counter-presses.

on Sky Sports, former Scotland striker James McFadden:

For me, Greg Taylor is frequently subjected to harsh criticism and judgement, as he is known for his professionalism and his willingness to participate in the game by taking the ball.

“We are discussing a full-back who has been instrumental in the way Celtic launches their games today.” I observed a similar phenomenon when they entered the game against St. Johnstone last week, as he occupies positions that are not typically occupied by full-backs in order to locate the open space. And I believe that Greg is eager to participate, which is entirely understandable.

“Your decision is not solely influenced by financial considerations at this stage.” The issue at hand is the value you believe you are worth, and it is not an unreasonable request.

“It would be simpler for Greg to feel pity for himself and proclaim, ‘I’m off, I’m going to go out in a huff, and I’m probably not going to play.'” But he has demonstrated that he is a highly skilled combatant and is willing to engage in a physical confrontation.

I believe that Greg Taylor’s performance indicates that there is still a fight for him to remain at Celtic. He has been an exceptional player.

It is evident that the manager is interested in retaining him, as evidenced by his statements.