Celtic kicked off their Scottish Premiership title defence with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Kilmarnock on Sunday.
Reo Hatate opened the scoring after just 17 minutes, making no mistake from the edge of the area to lift the spirits of an expectant Celtic Park crowd.
Further jubilation followed as Liam Scales doubled the lead five minutes before the break, heading Matt O'Riley's corner past the helpless Robby McCrorie, who had twice denied Nicolas Kuhn moments earlier.
Scales almost added to his own account, and extended Celtic's lead, in the second half, only for Oliver Bainbridge to clear off the line after McCrorie was again beaten from a corner.
Yet Bainbridge was left wanting soon after as his deflection helped Kuhn find the back of the net following a weaving run inside from the touchline just before the hour.
Substitute Anthony Ralston then added a late fourth in the third minute of stoppage-time as Brendan Rodgers' side started their search for a 13th top-flight title in 14 seasons with ease.
Data Debrief: Business as usual for Hoops
Reigning Scottish champions have now won their first match in each of the last 13 seasons, with Rangers the last such team to fail when drawing 1-1 with Hearts back in the 2011-12 campaign.
Celtic have also won their league opener in 16 of the last 17 seasons, losing the other 2-1 away to Hearts in the 2021-22 season.
This victory came as no surprise, though, as when at home for their domestic curtain-raiser, the Hoops are unbeaten in 35 such games (W31 D4) since a 4-3 defeat to Morton in 1950-51.
Sunday also continued an impressive head-to-head record, with Celtic only losing one of the 12 previous occasions that they have faced Kilmarnock on the first matchday of a league season (W9 D2).
Veliz joins Espanyol on loan from Tottenham
Alejo Veliz has completed a loan move from Tottenham to Espanyol, the La Liga club confirmed on Wednesday.
Veliz, who has made eight appearances for Spurs since signing from Rosario Central in 2023, joins Espanyol on a season-long deal.
The 20-year-old was limited to 45 minutes of action under Ange Postecoglou last campaign, scoring his first goal in a 4-2 defeat to Brighton in December.
Veliz joined Sevilla for the second half of the 2023-24 season, but again struggled for game time and played six times in La Liga, totalling to 31 minutes.
Espanyol won promotion from the Segunda Division last season after beating Real Oviedo in the promotion play-offs.
Manolo Gonzalez is aiming to bolster his attacking options following the loss of top scorer Martin Braithwaite, who completed a permanent move to Brazilian side Gremio last month.
Feliz joins Espanyol on loan from Tottenham
Alejo Veliz has completed a loan move from Tottenham to Espanyol, the La Liga club confirmed on Wednesday.
Veliz, who has made eight appearances for Spurs since signing from Rosario Central in 2023, joins Espanyol on a season-long deal.
The 20-year-old was limited to 45 minutes of action under Ange Postecoglou last campaign, scoring his first goal in a 4-2 defeat to Brighton in December.
Veliz joined Sevilla for the second half of the 2023-24 season, but again struggled for game time and played six times in La Liga, totalling to 31 minutes.
Espanyol won promotion from the Segunda Division last season after beating Real Oviedo in the promotion play-offs.
Manolo Gonzalez is aiming to bolster his attacking options following the loss of top scorer Martin Braithwaite, who completed a permanent move to Brazilian side Gremio last month.
Ream completes MLS switch to Charlotte from Fulham
Charlotte FC have bolstered their defensive ranks with the arrival of Fulham defender Tim Ream on a free transfer.
Ream, who spent nine years at Craven Cottage, has signed a two-year deal and returns to the United States 13 years after joining Bolton from the New York Red Bulls.
The 36-year-old made 312 appearances for Fulham, more than any other player in the 21st century apart from captain Tom Cairney (325), ranking 25th on the all-time list.
During his time with the Cottagers, Ream won promotion to the Premier League on three occasions, twice via the play-offs, with the other seeing Fulham crowned as champions during the 2021-22 season.
Ream helped Fulham to a 13th place finish last year, keeping three clean sheets in his 18 outings.
“I’m really excited to join Charlotte FC and return to the US for this next chapter of my career,” said Ream.
“In all my conversations with the people around the club, it was clear this organisation and city were the right places for my family and I to continue our journey.
"I’m here to win, and I’m looking forward to getting to know the team as we prepare for a key stretch of matches that will propel us toward the playoffs as we fight for our first trophy.”
Ream will link up with former Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith in Charlotte and will be eligible for the club's next MLS fixture against former side NYRB on August 24.
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