Japan forward Kyogo Furuhashi extended his hot streak with a sixth goal in six games as Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic beat Kilmarnock 2-0.
Ange Postecoglou’s side moved 12 points clear of second placed Rangers thanks to Jota’s opener and Furuhashi’s decisive finish.
Jota netted from close-range in the final minute of the first half and Furuhashi struck shortly after the interval at Parkhead.
The Scottish champions missed several chances to score more as they put pressure on Rangers ahead of their Glasgow rivals’ trip to Dundee United on Sunday.
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Celtic ended Kilmarnock’s stubborn resistance seconds before half-time when Alexandro Bernabei’s pass sent Daizen Maeda in behind Lewis Mayo.
Japan international Maeda cut the ball back and Jota was perfectly placed to finish from just a few yards out.
Furuhashi put the result beyond doubt in the 51st minute following a lethal Celtic counter-attack.
Reo Hatate sent in a low cross which was diverted towards goal by Furuhashi, with the shot taking a deflection before flashing into the net.
While Celtic is cruising at the moment, Postecoglou is still always looking for ways to improve his team, with striker one possible need given Giorgos Giakoumakis’ future beyond this month is in doubt.
More recently Celtic has been linked to Casper Tengstedt of Rosenborg BK.
Postecoglou has invested nearly £50 million ($A88m) in transfer fees since being appointed in June 2021 according to The Scotsman, with Rangers manager Michael Beale describing him as a “lucky man” on Sunday.
“We don’t spend the most money in this country,” Beale said.
“Celtic have made three signings and people are asking: ‘Are you [Rangers] going to make three’? No, we will do what we think (is best). But also, they spend a lot more money than us. So Ange is a lucky man because he’s spent a lot of money.
“He’s a good coach – but he’s spent a lot of money. I know who I want here and who is free to go or I’d like to move on. I know the areas I’d like to strengthen. But I think it’s going to take one, two, three windows to get who I want.”
Postecoglou addressed Giakoumakis’ future on Sunday, declaring the striker has not faltered in his attitude towards club duties despite question marks over a potential departure.
“Giako has been working hard and Kyogo [Furuhashi] is in great form, scoring every week,” Postecoglou said.
“So he is having to come on and make a contribution and he hasn’t flinched from that. I don’t think about who I want to keep or who wants to leave. I just work on the basis of the group I have in front of me. If anything changes, I deal with it.”
