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Celtic ratings as Hogh runs riot, Engels shows class and O'Neill faces dilemma

· Ryan McDonald · 2026-08-09 · nguồn gốc

Celtic player ratings as Kasper Hogh runs riot, Arne Engels shows class and Martin O'Neill faces selection dilemma The champions put five past Neil McCann's sorry Killie as record signing Hogh announced himself to Scottish football A star was born at Rugby Park as Kasper Hogh rattled a stunning hat-trick to put a smile back on Martin O'Neill's face. Celtic's marquee summer signing netted a deadly treble as the Hoops ran riot against Kilmarnock to soar to the top of the league. Veteran gaffer O'Neill tuned in from the sofa as he continued his recovery from a small hospital procedure during the week. But stand-in boss Maloney watched the champions tear Killie apart as £11million superstar Hogh announced himself in green and white. Prolific Benjamin Nygren and sub Luke McCowan also got on the scoresheet as Celts romped to an emphatic 5-1 win at Rugby Park. Viljami Sinisalo - 7 Kilmarnock had their moments early in the first-half but Sinisalo dealt with just about everything that came his way. He was quick off his line to mop up some chasing balls and took up some decent positions to deny Tyreece John-Jules on a couple of occasions. Distribution can be better at times and he'll have been fuming to have given up a clean sheet after sub Colby Donovan switched off. But the Finland international showcased his credentials for the No1 jersey with another commanding display between the sticks. Alistair Johnston - 7 Who knows if the Canadian right-back will still be a Celtic player come September 3? A move to Everton could still be on the cards despite David Moyes now assessing alternatives after failing to meet the Hoops' asking price. Either way, Johnston remains as committed as ever. The World Cup star is an elite right-back and linked up well with Duran down the flank. If Celts at least keep him for the Champions League play-off it could be a masterstroke - but it's a big if. Was mysteriously subbed at half-time for Colby Donovan. Cameron Carter-Vickers - 7 CCV has slotted back in seamlessly following his nine-month injury lay-off with an Achilles tear. Stalwart went down with a sore head knock after a stramash in the away box but quickly recovered. He - like the rest of the Parkhead rearguard - had a few early scares but managed to weather the storm. The 28-year-old looks comfortable alongside fellow American Auston Trusty at the heart of the defence. Auston Trusty - 7 The USA stopper was in the right place at the right time as he blocked John-Jules' goal-bound shot from close to the line which would've made it 1-1. With Liam Scales serving the last of his two-game ban, Martin O'Neill might have a bit of a selection headache for next week's trip to Tannadice in the Premier Sports Cup. Scales is a favourite of the gaffer's, but £6m ace Trusty has been solid since returning from the World Cup. Kieran Tierney - 8 Left-back was outstanding in the opening day win over Dundee and was just as good at Rugby Park. Floated some top-notch crosses into the box, and his inswinging corner kick deliveries also caused problems. Was a constant menace down the flank with his trademark overlapping runs. A fit KT is such a huge asset for Celtic. However, the key to getting the best out of the ex-Arsenal star is managing his fitness and minutes and that means adding an able deputy. Marcelo Saracchi has joined Houston Dynamo while Greg Taylor is attracting interest elsewhere. Celts are one injury away from having Scales playing at left-wing back against LASK. Callum McGregor - 7 Influential midfielder orchestrated the middle of the park and expertly mopped up some loose balls when Killie threatened to bomb forward. The 33-year-old captain dictated play and is such a calming and controlled presence in the Hoops engine room. Looks set to stay at Celtic Park after months of speculation linking him with a mega-bucks switch to Saudi. McGregor demanded ambition from the Celtic board and in Danish hotshot Hogh, they've certainly solved last season's scoring problems. Arne Engels - 8 West Ham target marked his 100th appearance in green and white with a brilliant assist. Belgian midfielder skipped behind the Killie backline with a penetrating run before swinging a hung-up cross into the back post for Hogh to nod in. Engels then went close with a blistering long-range effort that almost crept inside Max Stryjek's near post. The £25m-rated star was a bundle of energy and if he's to eventually move on this summer, Celts will need to find a like-for-like replacement as his power and off-the-ball work rate will be a huge miss. Benjamin Nygren - 8 It's early days, but the Swedish playmaker looks to have formed a sharp understanding with fellow Scandinavian Hogh. Last term's 21-goal hero seems to have upped his level this season too, drifting into dangerous areas and creating pockets of space for his attacking teammates. He just lacks that extra yard of pace. The Swedish playmaker thought he'd doubled Celtic's lead after Hogh's opener but his close-range header was somehow tipped onto the bar by Killie shotstopper Stryjek. He did play a part in Hogh's second, flicking the ball to the Danish goal machine. Tucked home his second in two games after an absolute howler from Stryjek. Camilo Duran - 8 Versatile Colombian forward was once again deployed out right as penalty box striker Hogh led the line up front. The ex-Qarabag star was ineffective against Dundee on Monday but was much better in Ayrshire. The ex-Qarabag star showed some silky footwork and a sublime touch. He isn't short of pace either and was unlucky with a couple of first-half attempts. Left-footed frontman looks desperate to open his account but will have to settle for an excellent assist. His high cross evaded Stryjek as Hogh headed in his third. Rattled the woodwork with a curling effort. The goals will come. Replaced by Seb Tounekti on the hour mark. Yang - 5 South Korean has come on leaps and bounds since this time last year but endured a frustrating afternoon. Never quite came off for the winger but - as is always the case with Yang - you couldn't fault his work rate. Acrobatic overhead kick was deflected out for a corner. However, with Haissem Hassan expected to check into Parkhead over the coming days, he will need to recapture last season's form to keep his place in O'Neill's starting XI. Kasper Hogh - 10 That's what £11m gets you. A new Celtic hero was born at Rugby Park as Hogh fired a statement first-half hat-trick. The ruthless Danish hitman needed just 63 seconds to break the deadlock as he headed home a simple back-post finish. Hogh almost doubled his account inside 20 minutes but his effort was incredibly clawed out by Stryjek. He was soon on the scoresheet again, though, as he swept in Nygren's neat flick from inside the box. Moments later it was three as Hogh knocked in Duran's high cross. Almost had a fourth but his header crashed off the post. A memorable day for the ex-Bodo/Glimt favourite, who notched Celtic's first league hat-trick since October 2022 - when James Forrest hit three against Hibs. Subs Colby Donovan - 4 Teenager, 19, was sucked in as he left Michael Schjonning-Larsen unmarked to notch a consolation for Killie. Estonian had all the time in the world and Donovan was caught out. Seb Tounekti - 3 Tunisian must shrug off the tag of a decent impact player this season. Tounekti is a box of tricks but his end product is often lacking. Needs to do more. Luke McCowan - 4 Scored with his first touch seconds after replacing Nygren as he hooked Engels' corner into the net following mayhem in the Killie box. James Forrest - 2 The one-club man turned 35 in the summer but is still an invaluable member of the squad. Thrown for Yang for the final 15 and flashed an effort wide of the post. Callum Osmand - 2 English kid made a late cameo as Hogh was given a standing ovation from the away end. Unused subs: Ross Doohan, Dane Murray, Reo Hatate, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.