Celtic face Kilmarnock in the Cinch Premiership this afternoon. After theRangers cut the gap to five points with a penalty assisted win against Dundee yesterday at Ibrox, Celtic can regain their eight point lead at the summit of the table with a win. However, the League Cup defeat in August will be fresh in Brendan Rodgers’ mind as he and his team make the trip down to Ayrshire.
Celtic go into the game with no fresh injury concerns despite Cameron Carter-Vickers and Greg Taylor being substituted on Wednesday in the 4-1 win versus Hibs. However, the manager might opt against using the American central defender given the plastic pitch used at Rugby Park.
Daizen Maeda, Liel Abada and Reo Hatate – three first teamers are unavailable through injury.
Oh Hyeongyu of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park on December 06, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)In goals, expect Joe Hart to continue. In defence, expect Nat Phillips to join Liam Scales with Cameron Carter-Vickers not being risked. Greg Taylor and Alistair Johnston will likely continue, too.
In midfield, expect an unchanged trio of Tomoki Iwata, Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley.
In attack, expect Oh to continue with James Forrest coming in for Mikey Johnston then Luis Palma completing the front three.
Predicted XI: Hart; Johnston, Phillips, Scales, Taylor; Iwata, O’Riley, McGregor; Forrest, Oh, Palma.
Match OfficialsThe SFA have confirmed that David Munro will referee the game with Graeme Stewart and Sean Carr acting as Assistant Referees with Gavin Duncan on Fourth Official duties. Greg Aitken is on VAR with Andrew McWilliam assisting.
Kick Off TimeThe game kicks off at 12pm (Celtic Park Time).
Where to WatchThe game will be on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with coverage starting at 11am.
Much like Celtic, Killie ran out winners during the week, winning 1-0 at Pittodrie. Derek McInnes’ side have been excellent at home; however, were beaten last weekend by Hearts at Rugby Park. Celtic were 3-1 winners when the teams met earlier in the season at Celtic Park.
This is the final day of this brilliant promotion that has been hugely popular with Celtic Star readers. Order our brilliant new book, Majic, Stan and the King of Japan from Celtic Star Books and select a second Celtic Star book of your choice for FREE! Offer ends midnight.
Some Christmas Majic from The Celtic Star…A great offer from Celtic Star Books, order the new book Majic, Stan and the King of Japan and choose one of the other books shown below to receive FREE with your order. No cost for the second book of your choice and no extra postage charges. Order Majic, Stan and the King of Japan at Celticstarbooks.com/shop and simply use the ‘Notes’ section to tell us which free book you want.
???? #CelticFC Away Day! ⚪
???? Kilmarnock???? #cinchPrem⌚ 12pm????️ Rugby Park???? Live on @CelticTV (exc. UK & IRE)???? Live on @ScotlandSky#KILCEL | #COYBIG???? pic.twitter.com/CJVC5kJAEd
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) December 10, 2023
READ THIS…Get some extra-special Christmas Majic from Celtic Star Books
