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Back at the venue of their first dropped points in this miserable season, Celtic gained some respite from the woes that have since multiplied exponentially.
It felt like a blip when Neil Lennon’s side drew 1-1 at Rugby Park in August. Another couple of months would pass in relative comfort before the wheels came to careering off their ten-in-a-row bandwagon.
It says it all that victories became the outliers in 2021. This positive performance and result was just a second win in the seven games played since the turn of the year.
Odsonne Edouard is at the double to help Celtic to a 4-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Road
The forward makes it 3-0 in the 62nd minute to seal the second of his two goals in ten minutes
Lennon had described Saturday’s defeat to St Mirren as leaving him at the lowest ebb of his tenure, so it was difficult to imagine what description could have been applied to failure here.
Thankfully for him, there was no need to dig back into the dictionary of disappointment. A response was delivered.
The Parkhead manager changed half his outfield line-up and gained reward from the return of captain Scott Brown.
Much criticised this term, the 35-year-old’s last involvement saw him earn a red card and a two-game ban when introduced as a substitute against Livingston a fortnight ago.
Scott Brown (centre) opens the scoring in the 29th minute to send Celtic on their way to a stroll
The outcome was much more favourable this time. Brown’s first start since the Scottish Cup final win over Hearts on December 20 brought his first goal of the season when a first-half header gave Celtic the lead.
His solid display throughout – which included a late assist – gave a platform for David Turnbull to show real craft just a little further forward.
Brown famously scored a last-gasp winner here a couple of years ago that gave Celtic control of the title race.
Clearly, their realistic Premiership aims are now far more modest. Nailing down second place and making the gap to Rangers a bit more respectable are all that’s left.
Captain Brown is on hand to congratulate the hero on a rare good night for their side in 2021
Odsonne Edouard built upon the opener by netting twice in the second half. A penalty – the award of which Kilmarnock disputed after Albian Ajeti topped over Colin Doyle – was followed by a delicate finish. Ajeti then polished things off with his first goal since September.
Lennon will hope more of the same can bring calm in the weeks ahead. Further comfort could be drawn from a decent debut by new Everton loanee Jonjoe Kenny.
For managerless Kilmarnock, however, this was another tough evening. Head of football operations James Fowler took temporary charge alongside Andy Millen after the weekend departure of Alex Dyer.
A ninth defeat in 12 games explains the need to source a permanent replacement quickly and ensure they are not dragged deeper into the relegation mix.
Albian Ajeti hits a fourth with four minutes left in a resounding win for the reigning champions
Lennon’s deep angst at the performance against St Mirren led to five changes. New arrival Kenny, Brown, Stephen Welsh, Ryan Christie and Ajeti all came in.
A £5 million summer signing, this was Ajeti’s first start since the bleak Betfred Cup exit to Ross County in late November.
Given the calamities he endured at the weekend, it was little surprise that Shane Duffy was among those who dropped out. Kenny’s signing allowed Kris Ajer to shift infield to centre-back where he was partnered by youngster Welsh.
Celtic certainly pressed hard in the opening minutes. Kilmarnock struggled to get out of their own half and survived an early penalty call when Edouard tumbled in the box after some typically nimble footwork.
Bhoys boss Neil Lennon is a happy man at the end after seeing his players secure three points
The home side only had a couple of chances of their own during the opening period. But they came close to scoring with their first.
Rory McKenzie delivered a terrific cross from the left, with Scott Bain remaining rooted to his line as it soared past him.
Chris Burke came changing in at the far post but couldn’t quite connect properly and was blocked out by Greg Taylor.
Burke was then halted after being gifted possession by a poor pass from Ajer. Killie won a corner and Zeno Ibsen Rossi glanced a tricky near-post header across goal and wide.
Gary Dicker’s first start since November 21 provided Fowler with an on-field lieutenant. The club captain’s absence through injury had hardly aided Dyer in the difficult final two months of his tenure.
Dicker’s introduction saw a slight change of shape from Kilmarnock’s weekend collapse against St Johnstone, meaning Nicke Kabamba dropped to the bench. Kambaba was joined there by the club’s two deadline day loan arrivals, Zach Medley and Brandon Pierrick.
The Rugby Park outfit were keen to pick on Celtic’s defensive weaknesses but the balance of play continued to head towards home goalkeeper Doyle.
Turnbull went close with a clever, clipped effort before Celtic claimed the lead on 29 minutes.
The opportunity arose after Edouard almost wriggled free in the area. He was well challenged by Rossi, before Ajeti’s attempt on the follow-up blocked behind for a corner.
Turnbull swung it over with quality and Brown escaped the attentions of Alan Power to guide in a header. Ever vocal on the pitch, this was the best kind of statement by the Parkhead skipper.
Dicker and Burke had optimistic pops from distance as Kilmarnock sought an equaliser, but the hosts owed Rossi for a wonderfully-timed tackle on Callum McGregor just as the Scotland man broke into the area.
Celtic needed a second goal to feel any comfort. And it arrived – much to the home side’s dismay – eight minutes into the second half.
Doyle and Ajeti chased a loose ball inside the area. The on-loan Hearts keeper claimed he pulled his hands away as Ajeti nipped in, but the striker took a tumble. With referee Kevin Clancy unsure, it appeared to be far-side assistant Graeme Leslie who called the spot-kick.
Doyle nearly remedied his upset by getting a touch to Edouard’s penalty but the ball hit the net regardless.
Kilmarnock needed to score next and almost did. McKenzie’s chipped cross was again met by Burke but Bain made a fine save with his foot.
It was all over on 62 minutes. Turnbull was the creator with a lovely, lofted pass that picked out Edouard. The offside flag stayed down – despite it looking tight – but so did Edouard’s mental temperature. A dabbed finish calmly gave Doyle not a hope.
When Brown then fed Ajeti, a low shot into the corner on 86 minutes brought him a long-awaited return to the scoresheet.
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