Celtic’s Kasper Hogh scores first-half hat-trick in league match

Kasper Hogh announced himself in the Scottish Premiership in emphatic fashion, netting three goals before halftime to give Celtic a commanding lead in their league fixture. The 25-year-old Danish striker, who arrived at Parkhead as the club’s record signing just weeks ago, needed little time to justify his £11 million price tag. After a quiet debut in the 1-0 win over Dundee on August 3, where Hogh created chances but couldn’t find the net, the early returns on Celtic’s biggest-ever investment looked uncertain. That uncertainty evaporated in approximately 45 minutes of football. From record signing to record-setting performance The performance validates a scouting operation that zeroed in on Hogh’s prolific record in Scandinavia. During two seasons at Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, the 6-foot-1 forward produced 54 goals in 103 appearances across all competitions. In league play alone, he managed 36 goals in 63 matches, a rate of better than a goal every two games. Hogh built his reputation with memorable displays in European competition, including a brace against Manchester City that put his name on the radar of clubs across the continent. Celtic moved decisively, securing a four-year ...