Glasgow | Celtic close gap on Hearts at the top of the table

Celtic 4 - 0 Kilmarnock

Celtic reduced the gap to Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership to seven points with a convincing home victory over struggling Kilmarnock.

Author | Sean M

Stadium | Celtic Park

Hearts were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Dundee United earlier on Sunday, giving Celtic the opportunity to cut the deficit.

Goals from Johnny Kenny, Kieran Tierney, Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels secured all three points for Martin O'Neill's team, who have a game in hand over the Tynecastle side.

A rare commanding performance from Celtic

The home side created chance after chance throughout the 90 minutes, registering 40 touches and 15 shots in the Kilmarnock box and generating an expected-goals total of 2.92.

Hatate was instrumental from midfield, creating seven opportunities, while Tierney impressed down the left flank after coming off the bench to replace the injured Marcelo Saracchi.

O’Neill has clearly strengthened Celtic’s faltering attack since his appointment as interim manager, though it remains uncertain whether he will still be in charge when the club travels to St Mirren on 22 November.

Kilmarnock, however, contributed to their own undoing.

Deas was at fault for the opening goal, Beech struggled to deal with the second and looked uncertain when coming for crosses.

They are conceding goals at an alarming rate and will hope the international break offers a chance to regroup.

Best fan reaction

Jack: Three points are all that count. Another step towards reclaiming the top spot in the league. Europe is no longer a priority. We must reassert our domestic dominance. Give youth players a chance in Europe to preserve our first team squad.

Liam: A solid result against a side that can cause problems. With so many injuries, it is encouraging to see the squad step up once again.

Harry: Another strong performance, another convincing result, and another three points. In form, we are easily the best team in the country, and the gap to the top will continue to close if we maintain this level. It is crucial that any incoming permanent manager keeps the team playing in this way.

Celtic recovered from that midweek defeat

Super Local Sports News | Glasgow | Europa League | Celtic soundly beaten by Midtjylland superlocalnews.blogspot.com/2025/11/glas...

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Callum: Celtic could lose Sebastian Tounekti and Kelechi Iheanacho to the African Nations' Cup in December and January. If Daizen Maeda and Yang Hyun-Jun depart as expected in January, only Johnny Kenny and Shin Yamada will remain. The injury situation at Parkhead is a serious concern. What is behind this surge in injuries?

Rory: Martin O'Neill's winning run continued against a lacklustre Kille side offering little threat. The challenges ahead for Celtic will be greater, but it is encouraging that O'Neill has restored confidence, with Maeda and Kieran Tierney showing renewed form.