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That was much more like it from Celtic on Sunday afternoon at Rugby Park. After a sluggish opening-day victory over Dundee, the champions produced a far more convincing display at Rugby Park on Sunday, dismantling Kilmarnock 5-1 and giving supporters plenty to get excited about. There were very few complaints this time around. Celtic looked sharper, more aggressive and far more dangerous in the final third, with Kasper Høgh showing exactly why the club were prepared to make him their record signing. The Danish striker scored a hat-trick, while Benjamin Nygren and Luke McCowan also got on the scoresheet as Celtic produced one of their most dominant attacking displays in recent years. And the numbers back that up. Celtic generated 5.6 expected goals (xG) against Kilmarnock – their highest recorded total in a Scottish Premiership match since Opta’s data collection began in 2019-20. 5.6 – @CelticFC created 5.6 xG against Kilmarnock this afternoon, their most on record in a Scottish Premiership match (since 2019-20). Intent. pic.twitter.com/LccbRCMpuj — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 9, 2026 That’s some going. It also means O’Neill’s Celtic achieved something neither Ange Postecoglou nor Brendan Rodgers managed during his second spell at the club: recording more than five xG in a Scottish Premiership match. The underlying numbers match what was visible on the pitch. Celtic were relentless. They created chances from open play, attacked the box with purpose, pressed high and punished Kilmarnock whenever the hosts made mistakes. It was the kind of performance that gives supporters a glimpse of what this team could become. And that is perhaps the most encouraging part. Looking at the XI that started at Rugby Park, Celtic are not miles away from having a seriously strong team. Add three or four quality additions to the current group and there is every reason to believe O’Neill could have a top, top side capable of competing domestically and giving the Champions League a real go. There are still areas that need addressed. The left-back position needs depth, another winger is required and the midfield could do with further quality, while departures could alter the equation again. But Sunday’s performance demonstrated that the core is already there. Høgh looks like he could be a serious goalscorer. Camilo Duran continues to show flashes of real quality. Kieran Tierney remains a major attacking weapon from left-back. Callum McGregor is looking increasingly influential. And with Cameron Carter-Vickers back alongside Auston Trusty, the defence has a much more settled look. Most importantly, there was intent. Celtic didn’t simply win at Rugby Park, they battered the door down. Hopefully, Sunday’s record-breaking xG figure is not an outlier – but an early indication of what this Celtic team is capable of producing as the season progresses.