GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 12: Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers and Callum McGregor during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park, on April 12, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
By Paulina Jaczek
Scottish Premiership
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Celtic Park
Celtic 5
(Hatate 8 & 24, Maeda 10, Carter-Vickers 20, Ralston 90+2)
Kilmarnock 1
(Armstrong 29)
It was a brilliant day for Celtic as they bounced back from last weekend’s disappointment against St Johnstone with a thumping 5-1 win at home to Kilmarnock. I have to admit, the Bhoys put in a tremendous performance today.
At half time, I found myself saying, “My Glasgow Lions, I’m so happy to see you back — back with that hunger to score more goals and the power to win. I’m just so proud of you today, my Bhoys in green.”
I can proudly say Celtic are back. This is the Celtic we love — fighting, fearless, determined to win. Today they went for the throat and nothing was going to stop them. That’s why I call them my Glasgow Lions. This was football the Celtic way again — another brilliant victory, and a reminder of why Celtic are champions.
The match at Paradise started with fire — energy, hunger, and a never-say-die attitude. The opening goal, a thing of beauty, came from Reo Hatate (a player who can be either hero or frustrating, depending on the day). But today? Today he showed pure class and proved he’s unstoppable. That early strike set the tone, and as I’ve said before, when Celtic score early, their wings grow and their hunger deepens.
Just two minutes later, in the 10th minute, our Japanese Samurai Daizen Maeda — whose skills are tremendous, pace electric, and who I thought, when he put the ball in the net for the second time, might be creeping ever closer to Henrik Larsson’s hat-trick record — scored a fantastic goal.
That made it 2-0, and marked Maeda’s 31st goal for Celtic this season.
Celtic were slicing through Kilmarnock effortlessly. Liam Scales had a 20-yard effort well saved by Kieran O’Hara, but the Killie ‘keeper couldn’t stop what came next. Cameron Carter-Vickers — strong, athletic, and a standout in this team — launched a sensational 25-yard shot into the top corner.
He’s a key figure in this squad’s success and let’s not forget, he signed a new five-and-a-half-year deal in January 2024, tying him to the club until 2029.
The atmosphere was bouncing, and the Bhoys didn’t let up. Just four minutes later, Hatate scored again, making it 4-0 and confirming that today was going to be one of those days in his which his quality shone through.
Kilmarnock pulled one back soon after through Danny Armstrong, who found the net from the edge of the box, lashing it past Viliami Sinisalo. The goal was more a fluke than something he meant to do … but Celtic did not let it affect them.
A bizarre moment followed before the break — Daizen Maeda thought he’d made it 5-1, and so did the fans, only for referee Beaton to chalk it off. As usual. Honestly, it feels like this happens far too often. James Forrest called it The Revenge of Alan Muir; VAR getting involved to over-rule an on field decision which looked perfectly fine.
The first half ended with Celtic flying, and they didn’t lose their drive after the restart. The second half continued in the same dominant vein, although the goals didn’t flow quite as easily. Celtic kept pushing, kept possession, but just couldn’t finish off their chances. Kilmarnock, who offered very little going forward, had one shot in the 66th minute that went wide. That was it. That was all.
With less than 15 minutes to go, Arne Engels had a great chance to make it 5-1 but was denied by the crossbar. Still, Celtic didn’t let up. Callum McGregor and Hatate linked up beautifully late on, but the move fizzled out before a goal could come of it.
Then, deep into stoppage time, Anthony Ralston — our tough, determined, aggressive right-back, the international team’s first choice for Scotland— found himself in the right place at the right time and slotted home the fifth. 5-1 to the Hoops, a fitting end to a performance full of purpose and pride.
After last week, and the anger of the manager, Celtic’s victory today was a statement. A tremendous win, a powerful performance, and a sign that the hunger is well and truly back as the Bhoys prepare for next Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park against St Johnstone. That will set up the treble party.
As far as the league goes, it all depends now on what happens at Pittodrie tomorrow, but I’d say it’s time for Celtic fans to start preparing for a celebration. We have well and truly earned it. Well done Celtic — and may the power stay with you, into next week and beyond. The finish line is in sight! Let’s do it in style.
Engels had a good game, again, especially the first half but you could see how disappointed he was when he hit the bar. He’s a guy desperate to do well, his vision and little flicks round the corner, his decision making and energy means I don’t doubt him. One thing I’ve noticed though is he seems to be naturally dropping deeper during games, not a problem as long as McGregor moves forward.
That offside today was a nonsense.
That 1st half is how we should be playin. We still need 1or 2 tough defensive midfielders tho. Kilmarnock were pretty weak in there and we were able tae get through them with ease. Still, was an overdue performance and well happy with that. Hopefully more tae come.
The Bhoys first half were outstanding. Taylor sent a message with what was a very good performance and interesting to hear Brendan’s comments on Taylor’s contract offer and it seems to still be up in the air. That show today may change a few minds.
It’s Reo though that turned my head. His energy, effort, drive and pride has convinced me that would shouldn’t let him anywhere near the exit door. When he’s on it then we don’t having the equivalent anywhere in the squad to replace or get near his talent.
Two players that often get a fair bit of stick yet shone brightest in the Glasgow sunshine
Yep great 1st half, that’s what’s needed now for the rest of the season, we want to finish it in style. I’m kinda glad that we’re going to win the League on the park, rather than off it. I didn’t think there was one failure in the team yesterday, but Taylor and Hatate were really impressive.
Great performance and great report !
It was a great first half performance but the exact same issues we’ve had recently were all on display for the second half.
No urgency & no desire to continue the pressure.
Yes we scored 4 in the first half & the game was done but we put ourselves under more pressure from opposition by letting our foot off the gas.
Don’t get me wrong I’d rather we were out the gates & out of site early opposed to chasing the game but the players need to stop this down tooling when they have decided the games done. All the urgency & snappy passes of the first half were gone in the second & it was like we wanted to just play the game out. We should be looking to add insult to injury by adding more goals.
On a side note, what a difference adding the element of long shots back in, the space players were able to find in the box because the defending team couldn’t just sit in for danger of shots was apparent so quickly. Hatate having 2 occasions + to take multiple touches in the box shows you have to be dynamic in the attack for plan a to be effective.