Joe Hart: The Celtic number one had virtually nothing to do but did watch on anxiously as Ash Taylor's header landed on the roof of the net. He gave the home supporters a scare when he let Carl Starfelt's back pass slip under his boot at 2-0 but thankfully for him, the danger was quickly averted. 7

Alistair Johnston: Following on from a decent baptism of fire debut at Ibrox the Canadian kept his place in the starting lineup. It was interesting to see how he would fare in front of an expectant home crowd. He got forward to decent effect and linked the play well with the midfield and Jota. It was only his second game for his new club but he has already caught the eye and impressed greatly and looks like a real athlete and is confident on the ball. 8

Cameron Carter-Vickers: A colossus and a real tower of strength at the back of the pack against Rangers. The central defender rarely lets his performance levels or standards dip. The champions have taken 16 points out of 18 since his return from World Cup finals duty in Qatar. He is a role model of consistency for the Hoops and shrugged Kyle Vassell off the ball easily at one point which led to rapturous applause from the crowd and defended stoutly. 8

Carl Starfelt: He was in the thick of it right from the off when he stuck his foot in on Vassell which warranted an early VAR penalty check but the Swede this time was on solid ground as referee Nick Walsh waved play on. He enjoyed the freedom that he was given by the Kilmarnock attackers and strode forward to kick-start moves. It was his backpass that was misjudged by Hart early in the second half. 8

Alexandro Bernabei: Ange Postecoglou handed the Argentine left-back his seventh career start for Celtic in place of the injured Greg Taylor. He hammered in an early effort that was snuffed out by the Killie defence and his attempts at crosses from the flank overshot the runway more often than not. He played an exquisite slide rule textbook pass inside the fullback for the sprinting Maeda to cross for Jota who did the rest. 7

Callum McGregor: Captain fantastic is fast approaching his 400th appearance for his club. He was man-marked tightly by a visiting midfield and it was stuffy and scrappy at times. The skipper still patrolled the engine room with an air of calmness and assured authority. 7

Reo Hatate: The Japanese midfielder linked up the play well with the likes of Mooy, Bernabei, and Maeda but it was all in tight areas. He was denied any real space to burst forward and break the lines which he loves to do. It was his cross that led to Kyogo putting the game to bed when his compatriot made it 2-0 in the 51st minute. He cracked in an effort that brought out the best in Kilmarnock goalkeeper Sam Walker. He grew into the contest and showed some great technical skills in the second half as he dictated play. 8

Aaron Mooy: It was a big call by the manager to rotate Matt O'Riley and put his compatriot in his place. He brings loads of composure and experience and he made a positive impact at Ibrox which led to his inclusion against Kilmarnock. He has returned from Qatar with a real spring in his step. The Aussie floated over a delicious cross from the left in the 20th minute but there were no takers. What a sublime pass he played to Jota who fed Kyogo to score but he was in an offside position. He was also involved in the move that led to the clinching second goal when he shunted the ball out wide to Hatate. 8

Jota: The Portuguese sprung into life when he pounced on a loose ball but Ash Taylor took the sting out of his attempted shot at goal. He got across the Killie defenders to steer home Daizen Maeda's cross as he popped up with his eighth goal of the season to give the hosts a vital breakthrough in this match in first-half injury time. He slammed another drive off the goalkeeper's legs soon after the restart. 7

Celtic Way:

Kyogo Furuhashi: "I'm not satisfied. I still have to contribute to the team with more goals and assists. I want to help the team not only by scoring goals but also by working harder in defence." The words of the Japanese striker in the build-up to this clash despite being awarded the Scottish Premiership player of the month award for December. The attacker thought he had stabbed home number 16 of the season when he reacted to turn home Jota's low centre but it was correctly ruled out by the assistant's flag. The Talisman wasted no time in making it 16 for the season when he was in the right place after making the near post run to flick home Hatate's ball from the right with the aid of a slight deflection off Taylor. 7

Daizen Maeda: This is a player who is bringing his A-game to the table at every juncture. The wide man was seeking his third goal in as many games after two sublime efforts against Hibs and Rangers respectively. He buzzed around both wings and he certainly had the beating of the Killie defenders pace-wise. It was his low cross from the left that led to Jota making it 1-0 to the champions. He was a bundle of energy all afternoon and his play deserved a goal. 8

Substitutes

Giorgos Giakoumakis (Kyogo 63): The Greek striker may be the subject of interest from elsewhere but he put in a real shift and looked eager to get involved in the action when he came onto the field. He was the victim of a crude challenge by Taylor from behind and was unlucky to be denied a goal with a header and a curling shot that both crashed back off the crossbar. 6

Liel Abada (Jota 63): This week the winger was celebrating being named in UEFA's prestigious 40-man list of youngsters who are expected to take "European football by storm" in 2023. He hammered a snapshot wide of the target and made a real impact after replacing Jota. 5

Matt O'Riley (Mooy 63): The Danish under-21 midfielder was rotated for the first time in 19 matches with Mooy preferred in his place but he kept it all neat and tidy and produced a stunning miss when he hit the post from close range after a fine save from Walker. 5

David Turnbull (Hatate 83): He had to be content with a minor cameo role as he replaced Hatate and dragged an effort wide of the target.

James Forrest (Maeda 83): Handed a seven-minute run out in place of the tireless Maeda and contrived to hit the post.

Substitutes not used: Scott Bain, Josip Juranovic, Moritz Jenz, Yuki Kobayashi.