Kilmarnock's Premiership campaign got off to a poor start as they were handily beaten 4-0 by Celtic at Parkhead.The home side started 2024-25 just as they ended the previous campaign and swept the visitors away.

First half goals from Reo Hatate and Liam Scales were both avoidable from a Killie perspective, but the visitors were unable to prevent the Hoops from extending their lead after the interval.A deflected effort from Nicolas Kuhn made it three while Anthony Ralston completed the scoring from a tight angle in injury-time.Derek McInnes elected to make five changes from their Europa League clash away at Cercle Brugge on Thursday.Sunderland loanee Oliver Bainbridge was handed a professional debut in defence while in also came Matty Kennedy, David Watson, Fraser Murray and Liam Polworth.

The suspended Robbie Deas was unavailable while Joe Wright picked up a knock on Thursday. Rory McKenzie, Danny Armstrong and Marley Watkins were the others to drop out.Following the pre-match festivities of the flag unfurling following Celtic's title win last term, the game settled into the predictable pattern of the hosts enjoying plenty of the ball and Killie's defence trying to hold firm.The home side's first genuine chance didn't arrive until the 16th minute when Brad Lyons produced a tremendous last ditch clearance after Kyogo Furuhashi had dinked the ball beyond Robby McCrorie - but the Northern Irishman was largely at fault as Celtic opened the scoring 30 seconds later.He failed to clear his lines with Greg Taylor taking advantage and teeing up Hatate on the edge of the box.

The Japanese midfielder made no mistake with a wonderful finish beyond the Killie keeper.Brendan Rodgers' side got a lift from that and almost doubled their

Kilmarnock swept aside by Celtic as they suffer heavy defeat in Premiership opener

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