Jenz and Giakoumakis acrobatics help Celtic fly past Kilmarnock to top of table

Moritz Jenz and Giorgos Giakoumakis both netted acrobatic efforts as Celtic cruised to a 5-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. Jenz, Kyogo Furuhashi and Jota – with another stunning strike – all notched their second goals of the season as the champions wrapped up the three points before half-time.

The substitute Carl Starfelt added a fourth to put Celtic ahead of Rangers on goal difference at the top of the cinch Premiership and Giakoumakis completed the rout with an overhead kick. An unchanged Celtic side took less than seven minutes to break down their hosts, with the former Killie left-back Greg Taylor playing a crucial role.

Taylor’s pass inside Fraser Murray sent Daizen Maeda through the left channel and he squared for Furuhashi to finish off the post. The visitors remained in control but Killie had a couple of half-chances just before a water break. Kyle Lafferty sent a weak effort straight at Joe Hart from 25 yards after Oli Shaw had got the better of Celtic’s centre-backs, before Murray curled just beyond the far post.

The second goal came out of nothing in the 35th minute. Jota collected a pass from Maeda and unleashed a powerful strike from at least 30 yards which flew into the top corner. The goalscorer immediately ran towards photographers to show off his sweatband tribute to fellow former Benfica winger Fernando Chalana, who died on Wednesday aged 63.

Jota soon had a chance to set up Madea but opted to shoot and was denied by Sam Walker. The Killie left-back Jeriel Dorsett injured himself trying to track back following Furuhashi’s pass inside him and was replaced by Calum Waters.

David Turnbull had two efforts blocked before Celtic increased their lead in stoppage time following corner. Callum