Brendan Rodgers says Celtic were 'a joy to watch' against Kilmarnock

Brendan Rodgers says Celtic showed their strength in depth with a 5-0 thrashing of Kilmarnock in the Betfred Cup at Parkhead on Tuesday night.

The Hoops boss made eight changes from the side which beat Hearts 4-1 at the weekend, one enforced due to captain Scott Brown's suspension.

Kieran Tierney, 20, skippered a youthful side which had five teenagers - Anthony Ralston, Kundai Benyu, Kristoffer Ajer, Calvin Miller and Eboue Kouassi - in the starting line-up.

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And Ralston scored his first goal for the Scottish treble winners with a header, striker Leigh Griffiths grabbed a double, and Stuart Armstrong completed the rout.

But goal of the night was Tierney's long-range strike which gave Killie goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald no chance.

Rodgers said: "It was a brilliant performance and a joy to watch the team. I genuinely think I can pick a team out if the squad I have and it will function to a high level.

"It was great to the see the concentration of the young players. When we had the ball our creativity and speed was excellent.

"It was a great demonstration of the strength of our squad. We had six players at the start of the game 20 and younger.

"It shows it is a club for young players to develop, to come through, and obviously I'm delighted for Tony Ralston scoring his first goal for Celtic.

"Kieran's goal was an incredible strike. It was a very pleasing performance. We are into the our flow much quicker this season."