Hoops blow Killie away as they get ready for Euro test

James Forrest helped Celtic blow Kilmarnock off the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership – but stressed it will require “a big push” to overcome Salzburg on Thursday night.

The Scotland winger grabbed a brace in Saturday’s 5-1 demolition of Steve Clarke’s side, who could not cope with the pace and power of the champions.

French striker Odsonne Edouard, captain Mikael Lustig and midfielder Ryan Christie also scored, with substitute Eamonn Brophy’s penalty a consolation for the visitors.

Celtic ended the weekend two points clear of Rangers, who drew 1-1 with 10-man Dundee at Dens Park on Sunday.

Brendan Rodgers’ side will be through to the knockout stages of the Europa League if they win or draw their final Group B clash against the already-qualified Austrian side at Celtic Park, or if RB Leipzig, who are three points behind in third place, do not win against Rosenborg.

Forrest admits the Killie win was the perfect warm-up for Europe but believes it will take a top-level performance to get through along with Salzburg.

He said: “We know it is going to be a hard game and it will take a big push from everyone and hopefully we get a result on the night.

“We would have taken it being in our own hands going into the last game.

“It is going to take a real push. We know Salzburg are a top side and everyone is going to be at it on the night to make sure we get through.

“Everyone is going to have to put in a big performance to make sure we get through.”

After beating Hibernian and Livingston in their previous two games, Killie boss Steve Clarke put the Celtic defeat into context.

He said: “Six points from three games is still a good week for us.

“People can’t forget that and I said to the players not to forget that either.

“We still have four games to go (until the winter break) and I’ve said to the boys if we can pick up as many points as possible from that then we can go into the winter break satisfied with the first half of the season.”

Oli Shaw’s goal was enough to secure victory for Hibernian at Hamilton – but their first win in eight matches came at a cost as former Dundee midfielder Martin Boyle was wheeled off on a stretcher.

The winger, who scored a double on his first start for Australia last month, was injured in a collision with Hamilton goalkeeper Gary Woods in first-half stoppage-time.

Hibs recovered from the blow and claimed a much-needed three Ladbrokes Premiership points when Shaw converted substitute Daryl Horgan’s 65th-minute cross.

Ryan Hardie marked his first start since April with a goal as Livingston came from behind to defeat St Mirren 3-1 at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

The on-loan Rangers marksman has endured a miserable campaign due to a persistent ankle complaint but was in the right place at the right time to hammer home a cathartic strike against his former club.

It completed a superb turnaround from Gary Holt’s men, who had fallen behind courtesy of an Alfie Jones header before Scott Pittman levelled after the break. Craig Sibbald added late gloss to the triumph.

James Forrest makes it 5-1 with the final goal of the afternoon.