Celtic scored four goals and missed a penalty inside the opening half hour as they moved a step closer to retaining their Scottish Premiership title with a 4-1 victory over Kilmarnock on Sunday.
Goals from Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda and Matt O’Riley’s double inside 27 minutes of play ensured Celtic need only seven points from their last six matches to seal the title.
The win at Rugby Park restored their 12-point lead over second-placed Rangers.
“Our first half was outstanding — probably as well as we’ve played all year,” Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou told the BBC.
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“Second half, we got a bit sloppy and never got into any rhythm. Overall, knowing the challenge here today, really pleased.
“Our football was brilliant, everyone was kind of in-sync. Our finishing composure, apart from the penalty, was excellent.”
Fraser Murray gifted Celtic a seventh-minute opener with a backpass that was intercepted by Furuhashi.
Joe Wright got back but could only delay the Japan striker, who checked back and drilled into the far corner.
Celtic were two ahead five minutes later following a lengthy spell of possession. Alistair Johnston got ahead of Murray on the right flank and crossed for Maeda to head home at the far post.
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O’Riley made it 3-0 in the 18th minute after being found by Greg Taylor. Furuhashi missed a great chance to net his 30th goal of the season when he hit the post from the penalty spot after Christian Doidge had caught Taylor with a clumsy challenge.
Another mistake from Murray led to the fourth goal. The former Hibernian player’s backward clearance ultimately ended up with O’Riley, who shot into the top corner.
Wide player Murray was taken off in a double substitution that was all about damage limitation. Striker Doidge also made way as midfield enforcer Alan Power and defender Jeriel Dorsett came on.
The changes stemmed the tide of chances and the relegation-threatened home side pulled a goal back in the final minute of the half following a rare mistake from Callum McGregor.
Donnelly dispossessed the Celtic captain inside the box and finally netted after goalkeeper Joe Hart had saved from him and Danny Armstrong.
Oh Hyeon-gyu was given 45 minutes to impress the watching South Korea manager Jurgen Klinsmann as he replaced Furuhashi.
The striker just missed O’Riley’s cross as he slid in and later fired just wide at the near post after a cross from Rocco Vata.
Carl Starfelt missed Celtic’s best second-half chance when he sent a free header over from six yards and Tomoki Iwata went close from 25 yards.
