Scottish Premiership Celtic 4 Kilmarnock 0 Full time

Manager Brendan Rodgers hailed "different animal" Reo Hatate after Celtic began their Scottish Premiership title defence in imposing fashion by swatting aside Kilmarnock.

The Japan midfielder, whose effectiveness was hampered by injuries last season, looked back to his best and drilled an early strike as Celtic ended the opening weekend on top of the table.

Having unfurled the title flag amid fireworks and a party atmosphere, Rodgers' side rose to the occasion with further goals from Liam Scales, Nicolas Kuhn and Anthony Ralston, who netted for the first time in two and a half years.

Under Ange Postecoglou, Hatate was a vital cog in the Celtic machine but the 26-year-old has struggled to reach those levels since Rodgers' arrival.

"I've got to be honest, the player I've seen over the course of pre-season is the player I expected to see last season," the Celtic boss said.

"He never really got to the level he wanted to consistently last season. Now I'm seeing a different animal.

"His mentality, his focus, the quality of his game. When he's playing against bigger opponents, he's shown he can play to a high level.

"He's an outstanding footballer and he'll be very important for us this season."

Kygo Furuhashi went close for Celtic before Hatate opened the scoring. There was a bit of a mix-up from the Kilmarnock defence as Lewis Mayo gave the ball away to Greg Taylor. The left-back found Hatate on the edge of the box and the midfielder fired his shot beyond Robby McCrorie into the bottom corner.

Killie's best chance of the game came just before the half-hour mark. Cameron Carter-Vickers was uncharacteristically outmuscled by Kyle Vassell, who teed up Matty Kennedy inside the Celtic box, but his shot was straight at Kasper Schmeichel, who enjoyed a trouble-free debut.

Centre-back Scales was the unlikely scorer as Celtic doubled their lead just before half-time. The Republic of Ireland international did well to beat his marker and get on the end of Matt O'Riley's cross, heading beyond McCrorie.

Kuhn, who struggled to settle into life in Glasgow last season, got Celtic's third. Kyogo played a lovely pass to the winger, who worked his way into the box and unleashed an effort that flew into the box via a deflection off Mayo.

Celtic had plenty of chances to add further goals and Kyogo found the back of the net with 10 minutes to play, but was denied by the offside flag.

Ralston, though, was celebrating a rare goal on the cusp of full-time as the substitute squeezed the ball past McCrorie after Kyogo's effort was saved.

Celtic make early statement

While fans have been crying out for new arrivals, Celtic's performance showed that when it comes to domestic action, they do not really need them.

Kuhn continued his impressive pre-season form to show signs he can make a real impact this season.

And if Celtic can keep sought-after O’Riley, and fellow midfielder Hatate steers clear of injury, it will be a challenge for any team to knock them off the top this term.

The pensive, slow passing of chunks of last season was nowhere to be seen and in its place, a free-flowing, fast moving attacking side that had shades of Postecoglou's Celtic.

There is a lot for fans to like already this season, and Celtic have only played 90 minutes.

More to come from Killie

Having just signed their left-back 24 hours earlier, and with one eye on their upcoming European game, it was no surprise Kilmarnock struggled against the pace and freshness of Rodgers' Celtic.

They showed glimpses of attacking threat, with Vassell and Matty Kennedy looking sharp in spells at the top end of the pitch. Fraser Murray was unlucky not to find himself on the scoresheet in the second half as well.

McCrorie showed glimpses of what he can do as Celtic rained in 13 shots on target and the overworked goalkeeper tried to keep the hosts at bay.

Once he gets used to that number one shirt, Kilmarnock will have a player on their hands.

What they said

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "I have to be so pleased for the first game of the season. You hope after the pre-season that we had it can come into your first game and it certainly did that."

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "I thought the 4-0 scoreline was a bit harsh on us. IIt was a good time for Celtic to play us and a bad time for us to play Celtic.

"Hopefully next time we play Celtic we're a bit more prepared and have a few more players available for selection."