Emilio Izaguirre and Stefan Scepovic scored in each half as Celtic earned a 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park this evening.
The visitors dominated the game from the start, and they almost scored an early goal when Kris Commons fired a strike onto the crossbar.
Commons threatened again soon after with an effort that he blazed over the bar from close range.
The midfielder was having an eventful evening and struck the bar for the second time after being picked out by Liam Henderson.
As the game approached the half-hour mark, Josh Magennis forced Craig Gordon into a save from his header.
The visitors eventually managed to break the deadlock in the 36th minute when Izaguirre latched on to Stefan Johansen's flick and fired past Craig Samson.
Commons almost added a second for Celtic on the stroke of half time, but after being played through by Henderson, his effort was saved by the keeper
After the break, Commons fired wide and Scepovic headed off target, as the Hoops pressed for a second goal.
Ronny Deila's side were able to double their lead in the 72nd minute when Scepovic touched in Efe Ambrose's header from close range.
The visitors almost grabbed a third in stoppage time when substitute Callum McGregor hit the post, but it made no difference to the final outcome as they started the year with a victory.
Alex Meyers
