Celtic cruise to victory over Kilmarnock

24 September 2016 18:28

Celtic strengthened their grip on first place in the Scottish Premier League with a convincing 6-1 defeat of Kilmarnock.

Victory left them with a total of 16 points from their six league games, and a lead of five points over second-placed Hearts and seven over rivals Rangers.

Kilmarnock's Souleymane Coulibaly impressively put them ahead in the 32nd minute with a sensational 40-yard strike,

Moussa Dembele brought Celtic level three minutes later, however, and after his second goal gave them the lead, further goals from James Forrest, Leigh Griffiths, Scott Sinclair and Tom Rogic followed.

Sinclair's 72nd-minute penalty represented his sixth goal in their opening six league games, breaking the club record of record goalscorer Jimmy McGrory, from the 1930s.

There was also a 3-1 home victory for Inverness Caledonian Thistle over Dundee, taking them above their opponents in the process.

Goals from Lonsana Doumbouya, Greg Tansey - from the penalty spot - and Liam Polworth left them in eighth place with eight points from seven games. Dundee, who scored in the 84th minute through Nicky Low to reduce the hosts' lead, are ninth with six.

Hearts could only manage a 0-0 draw at Ross County despite home advantage and a red card for the visitors' Ian McShane.

McShane was dismissed in the 83rd minute after a second yellow card. Hearts are second, with 11 points from seven games, while County are sixth with nine.

Finally, Partick Thistle squandered the chance to climb clear of bottom place after drawing 1-1 at home to Motherwell.

Chris Erskine gave them the lead in the 31st minute, but the visitors' Scott McDonald headed them level in the 83rd. The result left Partick in 11th place but with five points, level with 12th-placed Hamilton. Motherwell are fourth, with nine.

Source: PA-WIRE