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Kasper Hogh smashes Celtic hat-trick as champions run riot to fire emphatic statement – 5 talking points Shaun Maloney was the man in charge and it was the new Bhoy who stole the show in Ayrshire Martin O’Neill was at home with the feet up after his short stint in hospital this week. And this was just what the doctor ordered for the Celtic boss. More like Doctor Hogh. The big Dane was given time and space to plunder a lethal first half hat-trick – including an opener inside 63 seconds – to clobber Kilmarnock and give his gaffer the ideal tonic as he recuperates at home. Benjamin Nygren was gifted a fourth, and Luke McCowan slammed in number five after Michael Schjonning-Larsen nabbed one back for Neil McCann’s men as Celts ripped up Rugby Park’s slick new £1.5m playing surface. Hogh needed to be more patient on his debut against Dundee but he didn’t hang about here – bagging an opener in the blink of an eye. The big Dane nodded in from a back-post dink from Arne Engels to get off the mark. Killie had a go at 1-0 down, with Auston Trusty blocking Tyreece John-Jules on the line before Erik Ring dragged wide, then Greg Kiltie firing across the face. But Celts warmed up – and Hogh put the hosts to bed. Keeper Max Stryjek produced some heroics to keep the Hoops – and their star striker – at bay but the keeper could only do so much. Hogh plundered his second after 33 minutes when Benjamin Nygren nudged into his path and he drilled into the bottom corner. And the trio was complete two minutes later with a diving header after an exquisite clip from Duran. Stryjek had kept the score down – but chucked in a nightmare fourth two minutes into the second period when he passed straight to Nygren to allow the Swede to bury. Duran thumped the bar but Killie clawed one back soon after when Schjonning-Larsen drilled home after a neat move involving Tom Lowery cutting in from the right. Hogh thumped the woodwork but McCowan hooked in the scraps from a corner to make it a fantastic five and complete a comfortable afternoon for the Parkhead patient at home. Here are Record Sport’s five talking points from Ayrshire… MANAGER REST ASSURED Martin O’Neill has been ordered to take it easy after his ‘small procedure’ and he couldn’t have asked for a more stress free afternoon’s viewing. Shaun Maloney was a safe pair of hands as Celts cruised to their biggest away win since May 2025. The Hoops have made heavy weather of plenty of trips in the last year or so and needed nerve-shredding late winners at Rugby Park last term. There was much more of a cutting edge about the champions as they got the ball forward quickly, created a raft of chances and were clinical when it mattered. Celtic fans have been grumbling but their side is still a cut above the rest when they click into gear. O’Neill will be back in the dugout soon but with more incomings expected, the prognosis for their rivals might be ominous. HOGH DUNNIT Celtic fans have been craving a goal-scoring hero – and they finally have one. Hogh said he forgot his shooting boots against Dundee but he was locked and loaded as he plundered a stunning hat trick to kill off Killie. The big Dane thrives on service and proved if his pals tee him up, he’ll take care of the rest. Hogh is a proper penalty box poacher and he lapped up his chances here, picking up the perfect positions for teammates to put the ball in dangerous areas. There was some decent link up play as well, forging impressive connections with Nygren and Duran in particular. But it’s in the penalty area Hogh really comes alive. He’s up and running and there will be plenty more to come. RETURN OF THE BUNNET The man who saved Celtic took a seat in the Rugby Park stands – and might have had some words of advice for the current custodians. Fergus McCann has hero status among the Hoops support for stepping in at the club’s hour of need in the 90s. But it didn’t save the Bunnet from copping some flak and he got booed on Flag Day just a few months after Celts stopped Rangers’ quest for 10-in-a-row. The present day board know that feeling too but the mood music will be completely different if a couple of smash hits like Hogh check in ahead of the Champions League play-off in just over a week. ARNE BACK Midfielder Engels was a bit out of sorts on Flag Night but was at his best at Rugby Park as he clocked his 100th appearance for the Hoops. The best question remains whether it will be his last. West Ham haven’t gone away despite a couple of big money bids bounced by Celtic chiefs. O’Neill is almost resigned to losing the Belgian this summer but if Celts can dig in and keep hold on him until after the Champions League showdown with LASK it could be worth as much as any transfer fee. Engels isn’t always the most flashy but his energy and drive is vital to this Hoops team and he could be crucial in the European quest. And he’ll also be a tough man to replace when the time comes. LIFE’S A PITCH The new Rugby Park pitch looks sensational – unlike Kilmarnock’s defending. The new £1.5m surface is a welcome return after 12 years on plastic but the team were far from slick at the back. Having shipped four to St Johnstone on week one, it could have been even worse here. McCann went man-for-man at the back and got torn to pieces, while individual mistakes piled on the misery. They play some nice stuff going forward but unless they tighten up, the pitch will be the only smooth thing in Ayrshire this season.