CELTIC returned to Premiership action this afternoon with a 3-1 win over Kilmarnock at Paradise. Neil Lennon’s men showed little signs of a European hangover following Thursday’s exertions in Denmark, with goals from Kris Ajer, Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths.

The win saw the Hoops extend their lead at the top of the league table to 12 points, and here we look back at five highlights from a sunny afternoon in Glasgow’s East End.

BACKLINE TO BUSINESS
Jozo Simunovic will be disappointed to have conceded the early penalty which put the visitors in front, but the towering Croatian redeemed himself and then some with a confident defensive display from thereon. In fact, it was his long-range effort that won Celtic the corner which helped create the Hoops equaliser. After recycling the loose ball following the set-piece, Jozo’s defensive stablemate Christopher Jullien cut-back for their defensive peer Kris Ajer who, in turn, fired the champions level.

TWO TIMES THE THREAT
The front-facing pairing of Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths again showed its worth this afternoon, as the duo caused Killie bother from start to finish. Whether it was dropping deep, holding up play, overlapping in support or simply giving their colleagues an extra body to hit, both were superb. Edouard might have scored more on another day, but with a goal-a-piece, it was another fine performance from this increasingly impressive partnership.

NO EURO HANGOVER
With some players racking up upwards of 60 games per season, they are familiar with the Scottish football calendar’s busy schedule. Still, a well-contested encounter with FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Europa League in midweek had scope to derail the Hoops’ immaculate domestic form, particular given the first leg of their last 32 tie was away from home. This was not the case this afternoon, and the win sets Neil Lennon’s side up well for the return leg this Thursday.

DYNAMITE DEPUTY
As well as anchoring the Hoops midfield in place of the injured Scott Brown, Callum McGregor assumed captaincy duties this afternoon and was commanding throughout. So much is said about what Cal Mac does off the ball for Celtic, and in the place of Brown, today that also meant coaching his peers through the match. Naturally, we wish Broony the speediest recovery possible, but it’s pleasing to know his determined deputy is more than up for the job in his temporary absence.

12 POINTS
Results elsewhere this weekend saw the Treble Treble holders extend their lead at the summit of the Premiership to 12 points. Neil Lennon, his staff and his players can’t control what happens outwith their own game, but they can keep winning under pressure. Since the turn of the year, they’ve done exactly that, and have underscored the desire to win that’s returned so much success for this club in recent years. There is still a long way to go yet, but the champions show little sign of slowing down.

5 Quick-Fire Talking Points from latest Paradise win