Kilmarnock 2-5 Celtic

Georgios Samaras fired a hat-trick as Celtic saw off a Kilmarnock revival in a pulsating seven-goal encounter.

Goals from Kris Commons and an early brace by Samaras looked to have put Celtic out of sight at a sun-kissed Rugby Park.

Kilmarnock sparked a revival through Sammy Clingan and Sean Clohessy before Samaras sealed his hat-trick.

And substitute Amido Balde smacked home a fifth as the hosts tired late on.

Super Eagles defender Efe Ambrose, spotting jersey number 4, was probing from right-back. He was on for 90 minutes.

Former Sporting Lisbon and Gateway United playmaker Rabiu Ibrahim spent 77 minutes on the pitch, before being substituted by Kilmarnock gaffer Allan Johnston.