Celtic on brink of title after crushing Kilmarnock
Brendan Rodgers hailed Celtic's "perfect performance" after a 5-1 thrashing of Kilmarnock put it within reach of the Scottish Premiership title.
Celtic will be crowned champion for a fourth successive season with just one more victory, although its coronation could occur on Monday (AEST) if Rangers loses to Aberdeen.
That is after the Hoops produced a five-star display against 10th-placed Kilmarnock, which is still nervously looking over its shoulder with five games remaining.
Celtic was 4-0 up inside just 25 minutes. Reo Hatate lashed into the top-right corner from 25 yards out for its opener and would later score the fourth from close range.
Daizen Maeda tapped home for 2-0, while Cameron Carter-Vickers scored the pick of the goals from all of 30 yards out, stepping out of defence to send a thunderous effort dipping into the top-left corner.
Danny Armstrong got one back for the visitors with their only shot on target, but Celtic restored its four-goal cushion in second-half stoppage-time through Anthony Ralston.
Speaking after the game, Rodgers could hardly contain his joy.
"It's what this group is: a really honest group. The goals were brilliant. Some individual quality and some incredible strikes," he said. "Overall, it was the perfect performance.
"Whatever happens, happens. It's about ourselves. We wanted today to be the coronation, but we've given ourselves a brilliant opportunity now.
"We'll see what the split brings, and then we'll look to win our next game."
Should Rangers win against Aberdeen, Celtic's next opportunity to secure the trophy will come in two weeks' time, after the post-split fixtures are confirmed.
Before then, it faces St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup semi-finals on 21 April (AEST), with Hearts taking on Aberdeen in the other last-four tie.
