Having swept aside Aberdeen in the League Cup semi-final – then RB Leipzig 3-1 in the Champions League – Celtic once more look a relentlessly potent force.
If Brendan Rodgers had failed to convince some last season despite eventually cantering to the league title, his side’s recent scintillating performances are helping put to bed unfavourable comparisons with Celtic under predecessor Ange Postecoglou.
Yes, there was the 7-1 thrashing away to Borussia Dortmund, but they have shrugged off that embarrassment by going seven games unbeaten since.
Albeit one of those was Aberdeen’s two-goal fightback to draw at Celtic Park, it has culminated in their two most impressive displays this season.
Indeed, it is 25 games since they last lost domestically, against Hearts at Tynecastle in March, and they head to Rugby Park on Sunday having won all five away league games this season.
Celtic eased to a 4-0 win on Kilmarnock’s visit to Glasgow in August and handed out a 5-0 thrashing to clinch the title on their last trip to Ayrshire in May, all of which does not suggest Derek McInnes’ side will offer much resistance this time either.
However, Kilmarnock are unbeaten in four at home and will take heart from their last Rugby Park outing – when a single goal accounted for the other side of the Old Firm to heap pressure on Rangers manager Philippe Clement and send McInnes to the top of the bookmakers’ odds as the Belgian’s likely successor.
Indeed, Celtic headed home beaten in their other two visits last season – once in the Premiership and once in the League Cup – as well being held to a draw at Celtic Park.
We could be in for some post-Bonfire Night fireworks.
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