New Celtic striker Kasper Hogh delivered a tonic for the recuperating Martin O'Neill with a first-half hat-trick at Kilmarnock in the absence of his manager.
The Dane got off the mark in a Celtic jersey as the champions beat Killie 5-1 on the new grass pitch at Rugby Park to jump above St Mirren on goal difference at the top of the William Hill Premiership.
Shaun Maloney took charge of Celtic as O'Neill rested following an overnight hospital stay in midweek following what the club called a "small procedure". The 74-year-old was able to visit his players at the team hotel beforehand and they produced their highest-scoring league performance since beating Aberdeen by the same scoreline in May 2025.
Benjamin Nygren put Celtic four up just after the interval before Michael Schjonning-Larsen netted a consolation for Killie. Luke McCowan finished the rout in the 75th minute.
The game was effectively over after just 70 seconds when Hogh headed home a left-wing Engels cross from close range. Killie's initial response was positive, but Celtic doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when Hogh finished first time after Killie centre-back Johnly Yfeko gifted possession inside his own half. Hogh completed his hat-trick two minutes later, nodding Duran's cross home from close range.