Celtic moved to within touching distance of another Scottish Premiership title after a barnstorming first-half display ripped Kilmarnock apart.
Within 24 minutes the hosts were 4-0 ahead thanks to a stunning array of goals, with Daizen Maeda, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate, twice, on target.
Danny Armstrong’s cross sailed home for some brief respite for Derek McInnes’ side but the champions-elect utterly dominated.
The icing on the cake arrived in injury time as substitute Anthony Ralston danced into the box and found the far corner.
Celtic’s title win will be confirmed if Aberdeen defeat Rangers on Sunday, while well-beaten Kilmarnock now head into a crucial bottom-six run of fixtures that will determine their fate.
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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers had questioned the mindset of his squad after defeat to St Johnstone last Sunday meant there was no home title party this weekend.
With four changes for the home side, two up top and two at the back, the intent and desire was there instantly. Celtic were magnificent and swatted Kilmarnock away with some excellent goals.
The first was an individual moment of brilliance as Hatate gathered off a one-two and, without hesitation, fired straight into the top corner with Kieran O’Hara given no hope in goal.
Things quickly imploded for the visitors. Arne Engels waited and waited before playing a delightful ball in behind for Alistair Johnston, who squared for Maeda to tap in the easiest of his now 31 goals this season.
Celtic’s attacking was relentless and Carter-Vickers got in on the act as he strode freely towards the box and smashed a perfect long-range strike into the top corner.
The fourth was wonderfully worked with James Forrest again releasing Johnston, who found Hatate with space and time to net his second of the game and 10th of the season.
At that stage, Kilmarnock looked in freefall. From nowhere, Armstrong crossed with pace and it soared to the far post and over Viljami Sinisalo into the top corner. Fortunate but gratefully received.
Celtic kept at it. Kilmarnock avoided further damage just before half-time when Maeda slammed home but Adam Idah was adjudged just offside.
The only solace for the visitors was it didn’t get much worse as they changed approach at the break to some effect. The damage was done.
Engels was closest to a fifth with a curling effort that clipped the bar before Ralston’s late strike as Celtic inflicted a painful, chastening afternoon on their opponents.
Celtic utterly rampant as title win nears
No title party, just yet, and that clearly irked Rodgers given his comments in the past week.
Clearly, his anger had the desired impact on his squad. Jota, Nicolas Kuhn, Auston Trusty and Jeffrey Schlupp all made way and Celtic were on it from minute one.
It was a brilliant response as Kilmarnock were battered into submission within the opening quarter of the match.
At half-time this really could have been a cricket score. Celtic eased off and a change in approach from Kilmarnock stemmed the flow but this was a convincing and deserved victory.
Another Premiership title will arrive, whether on Sunday or later. However, clearly Celtic’s manager is already thinking beyond the remainder of this season.
He told BBC Scotland pre-match he will “150%” remain Celtic manager next season and his position on the next steps seems crystal clear.
This squad needs improved despite yet more success being within their grasp.
Kilmarnock must regroup to retain Premiership status
The fight really begins for Kilmarnock and every side in the bottom six now in the five post-split fixtures.
The Rugby Park side have not won away to Celtic since 2012 and ending that run was always unlikely. Within 10 minutes it was a crisis management exercise in damage limitation.
Kilmarnock barely had the ball, couldn’t get away from their box and very rarely got over halfway. It was the sort of afternoon no footballer wants to experience, never mind fans.
Goal difference may prove crucial – second-bottom Dundee are just a point behind before facing Hibernian on Sunday – and the second half game-management may prove helpful.
You look at this Kilmarnock squad and think they should have enough to avoid trouble, but they are right in it as things stand.
This was an afternoon they’ll want to forget, regroup and get on with the job in hand.—BBC
