After a narrow win against Dundee in their first match of the season, Celtic, the current Premiership champions, showcased their strength on Sunday afternoon at Rugby Park. Kilmarnock transitioned from plastic to grass ahead of the 2026-27 season following a vote to ban artificial turf, but the change resulted in a disastrous 5-1 defeat for the East Ayrshire team. Celtic’s club-record signing Kasper Høgh scored a first-half hat-trick, complemented by second-half goals from Benjamin Nygren and Luke McCowan.

Below are the performance ratings for the Celtic players following their 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock.

Viljami Sinisalo: 7.5

Made several crucial saves shortly after Høgh’s initial goal. Had limited opportunities to prevent Michael Schjønning-Larsen from scoring, which brought the score to 4-1 for the hosts.

Alistair Johnston: 7.5

Demonstrated why Everton is chasing him this summer. Showed relentless energy down the right side, contributing with overlapping runs, crosses, and chance creation while effectively handling defensive responsibilities. He was substituted by Colby Donovan at halftime for unspecified reasons.

Cameron Carter-Vickers: 7

Faced challenges in duels against Tyreece John-Jules and Joe Hugill but displayed his passing skills through a notable range.

Auston Trusty: 7

Showed commitment and composure while partnering with his fellow countryman. His key clearances, timely tackles, and recoveries thwarted Kilmarnock’s efforts to mount a comeback.

Kieran Tierney: 7.5

Consistently performed well, creating opportunities from the left with his dynamic runs, crosses, and dribbles. He also saw a shot saved by Maksymilian Stryjek in goal for Kilmarnock.

Callum McGregor: 7.5

Controlled the game’s rhythm from deep midfield. The captain excelled in duels, regained possession, and facilitated attacking transitions with his vision and distribution skills.

Arne Engels: 8

A target for West Ham United, the Belgian excelled as a box-to-box playmaker, assisting Høgh’s header early and consistently testing Stryjek throughout the match.

Camilo Duran: 8

Almost found his first official goal but was thwarted by the woodwork. However, he contributed significantly by assisting Høgh’s third goal during a fast break. Replaced by Sebastian Tounekti just over the hour mark.

Benjamin Nygren: 8.5

Continuing his impressive form, Nygren assisted Høgh’s second goal before scoring himself shortly after halftime with a left-footed strike. He maintained offensive pressure and created multiple chances before he was substituted for Luke McCowan in the 74th minute.

Yang Hyun-jun: 7

Displayed energy on the left wing with effective runs, dribbles, and recoveries. He was substituted late in the match for veteran James Forrest.

Kasper Høgh: 9.5

After a quiet start to his debut, the former Bodø/Glimt striker made a significant impact with a first-half hat-trick, showcasing his poaching skills. He could have scored more had his attempts not been saved or thwarted. He was substituted for Callum Osmand with under ten minutes remaining.

Celtic Subs vs Kilmarnock

Colby Donovan: 5.5

Should have challenged better against Schjønning-Larsen, allowing him to score with minimal resistance.

Sebastian Tounekti: 6.5

Provided a decent performance off the bench, though he once again missed key finishing opportunities.

James Forrest: 6.5

Came close to adding another goal for Celtic deep in injury time.

Luke McCowan: 7

Made an immediate impact by restoring the four-goal lead with a close-range finish from a corner to make it 5-1.

After an edgy win against Dundee in the season opener, Celtic, the reigning Premiership champions, showed their supremacy on Sunday afternoon at Rugby Park. Kilmarnock finally changed their turf from plastic to grass after clubs voted in favour of banning artificial turf ahead of the 2026-27 season; however, it proved a catastrophe for the East Ayrshire side, who suffered a 5-1 humiliation. Second-half strikes from Benjamin Nygren and Luke McCowan followed a first-half hat-trick from the club-record signing Kasper Høgh.

Below are the Celtic players rated in their 5-1 win against Kilmarnock.

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Viljami Sinisalo: 7.5

Made a couple of smart saves soon after Høgh’s opening goal. Could have done little to stop Michael Schjønning-Larsen, who pulled one back and made it 4-1 for Neil McCann’s men.

Alistair Johnston: 7.5

Showed why Everton are chasing him this summer. Was relentless down the right with his overlapping runs, crosses and chance creation. Performed his defensive duties as well whenever the hosts posed counter-attacking threats. Was replaced by Colby Donovan at half-time due to an unspecified reason.

Cameron Carter-Vickers: 7

Was uncomfortable at times when facing duels against Tyreece John-Jules and Joe Hugill. But the USMNT centre-half depicted his ball-playing expertise with an impressive passing range.

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Auston Trusty: 7

Partnered his fellow countryman with sheer commitment and composure. His off-the-line clearance, timely tackles and recoveries often frustrated the hosts in their attempts to script a comeback.

Kieran Tierney: 7.5

Another majestic performance from the Scotsman, who kept on creating opportunities from the left-hand flank with his marauding runs, crosses and cut insides. Also had an effort denied by Maksymilian Stryjek in the Killie goal.

Callum McGregor: 7.5

Dictated the tempo from the deep, as the skipper dominated the duels, regained possession and scripted attacking transitions from the deep with his vision, distribution and ball-carrying attributes.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 03: Hyunjun Yang of Celtic controls the ball during the William Hill Premiership 2026/27 match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on August 03, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

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Arne Engels: 8

A transfer target for West Ham United, the Belgian demonstrated his mastery as a box-to-box playmaker. Not only did he set it up for Høgh’s header early in the contest but also tested Stryjek time and again.

Camilo Duran: 8

Came close to finding his first official goal, only to be denied by the woodwork. But the Colombian made his mark by assisting the Danish hitman for his third, capitalising on a fast break. Made way for Sebastian Tounekti minutes over the hour mark.

Benjamin Nygren: 8.5

The Swedish ace maintains his stellar form, as he assisted Høgh’s second before hitting the net himself with a left-footed strike soon after the break. Kept on creating chances from his ‘number 10’ spot and was denied by Stryjek on multiple occasions. Was taken off for Luke McCowan around the 74th-minute mark.

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Yang Hyun-jun: 7

Had his moments on the left-hand flank, as the South Korean wideman was lively with his runs, dribbles, recoveries and directness. Made way for veteran James Forrest late in the game.

Kasper Høgh: 9.5

Was little effective on his debut, but the former Bodø/Glimt marksman announced his arrival in Scottish football with a first-half hat-trick, exhibiting his exquisite poaching traits. Could have netted more had he not found his efforts saved, blocked, or off target. Was subbed off for Callum Osmand with less than 10 minutes remaining.

Celtic Subs vs Kilmarnock

Colby Donovan: 5.5

Should have done better against Schjønning-Larsen, who faced little challenge from the youngster before finding the target.

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Sebastian Tounekti: 6.5

A decent cameo from the Tunisian, but he once again failed to finish those attempts.

James Forrest: 6.5

Came close to making it six for the Celts in injury time.

Luke McCowan: 7

Left an immediate impact by making it 5-1, thus restoring the four-goal lead with a close-range finish following a corner.