Celtic face Kilmarnock on Saturday afternoon as Ange Postecoglou’s side look to begin the New Year at Paradise with a win. Following the draw at Ibrox on Monday, Celtic maintain their nine point gap at the top of the Cinch Premiership and can go twelve points clear of Rangers, who don’t play until Sunday at Tannadice against Dundee United.
Derek McInnes’ Killie arrive in 9th and will be the opponents next weekend at Hampden in the League Cup Semi-Final. Celtic won 5-0 down at Rugby Park back in August and will be looking for a performance as clinical as that afternoon.
Team News
Ange stated that there was a sickness bug going through the squad in anticipation of the game at Ibrox. However, the majority of the squad are fit again and ready to go against the visitors from Ayrshire.
Joe Hart will start in goals. Stephen Welsh is still out injured. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt will likely start in the heart of the defence, even with Moritz Jenz chomping at the bit for game time. Greg Taylor is out for a couple of weeks after tweaking his hamstring at Ibrox. Alexandro Bernabei will start at left back.
Alistair Johnston was impressive in the draw against theRangers. He will likely tip Josip Juranovic for the starting role with Tony Ralston still out with that back knock.
Ange has options in midfield and it is expected that the manager will pick two of Reo Hatate, Aaron Mooy and Matt O’Riley to join captain Callum McGregor in the Celtic midfield. David Turnbull is back after completing his two match suspension. The midfielder will feel that he needs to prove a point given impressive showings from Hatate and Mooy in recent weeks, especially with O’Riley reiterating his determination to get back to his best. James McCarthy is still out.
In attack, Kyogo is expected to start through the middle. Giorgos Giakoumakis’ future is up in the air with the Greek striker seemingly refusing to sign a new contract. Daizen Maeda scored at Ibrox and will likely start, Jota came on impressed so he would be well placed to attack down Celtic’s left hand side. The Portuguese winger has recovered from his virus. Seak Haksabanovic is still out with a knock.
Predicted Team
Predicted XI: Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Bernabei; McGregor, Hatate, Mooy; Jota, Kyogo, Maeda.
Match Officials
Nick Walsh is the referee and his assistant referees today are Sean Carr and Andy Milne. The Fourth Official is Peter Stuart and the ludge-VAR is today being operated by Kevin Clancy who is assisted by Andrew McWilliam. What could possibly go wrong?
Kick Off Time
The game kicks off at 3pm (Celtic Park time).
Where to Watch
The game will be played out in front of a capacity crowd at Celtic Park. However, for fans with a subscription outside Britain and Ireland, the game will be able to watched on Celtic TV. Enjoy the game everyone and COYBIG!
