Celtic hoisted the Championship flag this afternoon and put down an immediate marker of their intentions to retain it with a comfortable win over Livingston.

Goals from Tom Rogic, Odsonne Edouard and Olivier Ntcham ensured a comfortable return to action for Brendan Rodgers' side although Livingston's late consolation goal will be something for Celtic to think about ahead of their Champions League qualifier against Greek side AEK Athens on Wednesday night.

The Premier League new boys, marshalled by new player-manager Kenny Miller, were on the back foot from the early stages after Rogic netted with a rare header to give Celtic a grip of the game that there were unlikely to relinquish.

It took just eight minutes for the Parkhead side to pick up where they had left off, as they gave Livingston little respite from first whistle to last.

Jonny Hayes set up the cross from the left left for the first goal of the afternoon to mark what was his first competitive start since breaking his leg at Dens Park last December and the afternoon in its entirety was a steady stream of Celtic attacks as the Parkhead side dominated proceedings.

Hayes had started the game after Kieran Tierney had felt some tightness in his hamstring after last Wednesday's draw in Rosenborg, but the left-back arrived to play in the final half hour of the game and will line up against the Greeks on Wednesday as Celtic to to get over the next hurdle that stands in their way of making it into the UEFA Champions League group stages.

Once Rogic had started the ball rolling there was an inevitability that more goals would follow although it was the move itself that was particularly impressive. James Forrest headed he ball into the path of Rogic just inside Celtic's half and the Australian burst forward before laying off to Ntcham. The French midfielder's cross into the six-yard was easily converted by Edouard was goalkeeper Liam Kelly stranded.

More followed in the second period. The impressive Callum McGregor was tripped by Craig Halkett and Ntcham converted with little fuss from the spot.

Mikael Lustig almost got in on the act after chested the ball down and unleashing a volley that was blocked but although the scoreline stayed down there was always the suspicion that there were more to follow.

Rodgers made changes on the hour mark with Kieran Tierney and Leigh Griffiths arriving, while Mikey Johnston also came on as the game progressed.

Rogic and Griffiths linked well on the edge of the box with only a last minute intervention by Steven Saunders denying thee striker. Livingston's Jack McMillan also went into the book for wrestling Griffiths to the ground as Celtic looked to break away

The Hoops striker was in amongst it shortly after that when he controlled a long pass on his chest and rounded the Livvy keeper only for the stopper to scramble back onto his line and clear the effort.

The only blot on Celtic's afternoon was the sight of Ntcham limping as the game drew to a close. With Wednesday's game looming, Celtic will not want to lose a player whose influence has grown steadily over the last twelve months.

There was a late goal from Livingston too much to the chagrin of Kristoffer Ajer and Jozo Simunovic. A free-kick was watched by a static Celtic defence with Scott Robinson taking full advantage to roll the ball past an isolated Craig Gordon.

It will be taken as a warning ahead of this week's test that lies in wait.