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The Football Show · 9 August 2026
Kilmarnock 1-5 Celtic - ‘He was at the team hotel, had the team meeting and spoke to the players.’ - Shaun Maloney explained Martin O’Neill’s role today and summed up a big win for Celtic.
Celtic tore Kilmarnock apart to go top of the Scottish Premiership - and it was all but over inside 35 minutes. Kasper Høgh helped himself to a stunning hat-trick, striking after just 2 minutes, then again on 33 and 35 to make it 3-0 at the break. Benjamin Nygren added a fourth straight after half-time (47'), and substitute Luke McCowan rounded off the rout with a fifth on 75. Michael Schjønning-Larsen grabbed a 56th-minute consolation for Neil McCann's side, who slip to 12th, but this was a chastening day for Killie.
For Celtic it was as complete a 90 minutes as you'll see - mesmerising going forward and ominous for everyone else in the title race. And it made for perfect viewing for manager Martin O'Neill, still recovering from surgery and watching his side from home. All eyes now on what assistant Shaun Maloney makes of the display - and of a rampant number nine in Kasper Høgh.
Celtic Post Match Press Conference Transcript:
Q: Did you have any contact with Martin [O'Neill]? Was he offering instruction?
Shaun Maloney: Not during the game, no. He was at the team hotel, he did the team meeting, he spoke to the players, and then he just said to the staff, "just get on with it," and I'll give him a shout after this. But I'm glad that when I see him, we've won.
Q: But how pleasing is the manner of the win - because it was five going on ten?
Shaun Maloney: Really pleased. I was really pleased with the creative part. There was about a five- or ten-minute period where the game felt 50/50 - Phil made a really good save - but even during that period we were creating, so I really liked that side of us. I really enjoyed how creative we were. But I'd say the platform for that came from our work without the ball - we worked really hard today. The lads have set a standard now, and they have to try and reach it.
Scorers:
Kilmarnock - Michael Schjønning-Larsen 56'
Celtic - Kasper Høgh 2', 33', 35'; Benjamin Nygren 47'; Luke McCowan 75'
Are Celtic already out of sight at the top? Have your say in the comments.
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