07.10.2023 19:15 h

Celtic stretch lead with Kilmarnock win

Celtic put their Champions League heartbreak behind them to beat Kilmarnock 3-1 on Saturday and extend their Scottish Premiership lead to eight points.

The Hoops were stung by Lazio's 96th minute winner in Europe in midweek, but remain a class apart in domestic football as they look to win a 12th league title in 13 years.

Reo Hatate's stunning solo effort opened the scoring in sodden conditions as storms swept across Scotland.

Luis Palma was denied a potential winner against Lazio by a VAR review for offside, but did finally get his first goal at Celtic Park by firing into the top corner.

Kilmarnock dumped Brendan Rodgers' men out of the League Cup in August and briefly threatened a fightback when David Watson pulled a goal back.

But Greg Taylor quickly restored the Scottish champions' two-goal cushion from a corner.

"It was a very good performance," said Rodgers after the 700th game of his managerial career.

"The scoreline probably didn't reflect the dominance in the game. Overall, very pleased. Still a way to go but slowly we're building performance level."

Celtic's lead at the top could be cut by either second-placed St. Mirren or managerless Rangers when they face off on Sunday.

Hearts wasted the chance to move above Rangers into third after blowing a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Hibernian in the Edinburgh derby.

Alan Forrest and Christian Doidge's own goal had the hosts in command at Tynecastle.

But Elie Youan scored twice in the space of 83 seconds to salvage a point for Hibs.

Livingston beat Motherwell 2-0 in the only other Premiership game of the day as Dundee's clash with Ross County was abandoned due to the severe weather.