Celtic clinch the title with five-star display at Rugby Park | OneFootball

Scottish PremiershipWednesday, May 15, 2024Rugby Park, Kilmarnock

KILMARNOCK… 0

CELTIC… 5(Idah 5, Maeda 12, Forrest 35,  O’Riley 51 & 71)

Celtic have been crowned champions of Scotland for the third consecutive season as Brendan Rodgers’ side sealed the title with superb 5-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park tonight (Wednesday).

The Hoops clinched their 54th title after a blistering performance on the plastic pitch, thanks to goals from Adam Idah, Daizen Maeda, James Forrest and a double from Matt O'Riley.

The Celtic manager had spoken about wanting to sprint across the finishing line, and his side duly obliged, to the delight of the travelling support.

Before the match both sides poignantly remembered the legendary Tommy Burns who sadly passed away 16 years ago today, with a minute's applause.

And once the game started, Adam Idah opened the scoring for Celtic in the fifth minute, slotting the ball home from a precise Matt O'Riley cross for his eighth goal since joining the club on loan in January.

The Hoops doubled their lead in the 12th minute. Reo Hatate played a lovely slide-rule pass to Alistair Johnston, who reached the byline and fired the ball across goal for Daizen Maeda to divert home.

Celtic’s dominance was evident as the two goalscorers combined again in the 17th minute. Idah took Maeda's pass, spun his marker, and fired a powerful left-foot shot, which the Kilmarnock keeper did well to save.

In the 27th minute, Liam Scales nearly added a spectacular third, smashing a 30-yard shot that produced a stunning fingertip save from Kieran O’Hara.

However, the Hoops did get the third goal their play deserved when James Forrest tapped the ball home after he was set up by Maeda.

The Hoops wasted no time in the second half, quickly extending their lead to 4-0 through Matt O’Riley.

The corner was floated in from the left, and although Joe Wright attempted to clear it, the ball broke for O’Riley who took a touch before sweeping it into the top of the net with a powerful left-foot shot.

Kilmarnock thought they had pulled a goal back immediately after O’Riley’s strike when Danny Armstrong fired the ball home but it was ruled out for offside.

As the game progressed, Celtic showed no signs of letting up. They continued to rack up chances, with both Kyogo and Hatate going close to adding a fifth goal in the 69th minute.

And the Hoops' relentless pressure paid off again in the 70th minute when O’Riley netted his second goal of the match, bringing his tally for the season to an impressive 18.

Nicolas Kuhn delivered a low ball into the box, finding O’Riley with the freedom to take a touch, get his head up, pick his spot, and pass it into the corner to make it 5-0. It was another clinical finish from the midfielder, highlighting Celtic’s dominance and efficiency.

The final whistle sparked scenes of celebration amongst the players and supporters as Brendan Rodgers has delivered another league title to Paradise, with Trophy Day on Saturday set to be another wonderful occasion for the Celtic Family.