Celtic bounced back from their Champions League disappointment by defeating Kilmarnock 3-1 at home to stretch their lead atop the cinch Premiership. Brendan Rodgers’ side looked eager to atone for their midweek loss to Lazio and were two goals ahead at half-time through Reo Hatate and Luis Palma. David Watson got one back for Kilmarnock midway through the second period before Greg Taylor added a third to send Celtic seven points clear at the top of the table after a fifth consecutive league win. Celtic started on top and had the ball in the net within five minutes but Kyogo Furuhashi had strayed into an offside position before finishing well. Kilmarnock’s response was a curling effort from Danny Armstrong that arced beyond the far post before the former Killie defender Taylor came close with a half-volley. Celtic moved in front on 22 minutes after great play from Hatate. The Japan international fastened on to a quick free-kick from Callum McGregor, burst past Watson before finishing low in the corner. Hatate almost came close to doubling his tally with an acrobatic volley that was well saved before Palma stretched Celtic’s lead after 33 minutes. The winger attempted a pass to Hatate only for the ball to rebound back to the Honduran who took advantage to smash in an unstoppable shot. Celtic started the second half on the offensive once again and Hatate’s run and shot was deflected narrowly wide of goal by defender Lewis Mayo. Hatate then thought he had won a penalty after he and Watson tangled at the edge of the Kilmarnock box. Before it could be taken, however, the VAR, David Dickinson, asked the referee Matthew MacDermid to have a second look and the decision was overturned. Kilmarnock grabbed an unlikely lifeline after 72 minutes. Kyle Vassell and Alistair Johnston clashed as they chased down a long ball but play was allowed to go on and Liam Polworth teed up Watson who finished well. The visitors missed a good chance to draw level when Stuart Findlay nodded wide from a free-kick and that proved costly when Taylor tucked in Celtic’s third after Daizen Maeda had flicked on Matt O’Riley’s corner. Maeda was then denied by Will Dennis after running the length of the pitch, with James Forrest unable to convert the rebound. Rodgers told the BBC afterwards: “It was a very good performance. The scoreline probably didn’t reflect the dominance in the game. “I don’t think [the Kilmarnock goal] was a goal. The young Kilmarnock player has Greg [Taylor] in a hold position and as soon as he swivels to go in behind, he’s brought to the floor. Lo and behold they go up the other end and go into the space that Greg leaves. We’re disappointed with that. It’s one of those things.”