Bhoys Bound For Killie Clash

Bhoys Bound For Killie Clash
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


August: Reo Hatate scores Celtic's first goal of the Premiership season against Kilmarmock


Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
Sunday, 10 November 2024
15.00 GMT

Celtic return to Premiership duty this weekend with a trip to Ayrshire, where they will line up to face against Kilmarnock, in a fixture that has often proved to be a thorn in Brendan Rodgers' side.

The Hoops will be absolutely buzzing as they come into this game on the back of a 6-0 win over nearest league rivals, Aberdeen, in the League Cup Semi-Final, and perhaps even more impressively, dispatching RB Leipzig, 3-1, in the Champions League, earlier this week.

And the Celts will want that form to continue here, as they close out this final match before the International break, while seeking to maintain the slender lead at the top of the Premiership ladder.

Even with the current form that the Hoops are in, there is some reason to be a little apprehensive though, when taking into account that two of the past three visits ending in defeat, and even this season against all competition only one visiting side has so far managed to depart Rugby Park victorious.

That said, on the Celts' most recent visit back in May, they secured the 2023/24 Premiership title, with a 5-0 win, but the synthetic Rugby Park pitch has often also itself provided a tricky challenge.


Alistair Johnston in action during the 4-0 victory against Killie back in August

The start to this season has not been particularly smooth sailing for the hosts. Derek McInnes has often cut a frustrated figure, knowing that his side could and perhaps should be much better off than where they currently stand, and having been blighted by no fewer than four red cards already, which has resulted in them dropping at least 10 points from potential winning positions.

While they managed to keep 11 on the park last weekend, this was none-the-less a familiar story, as Killie surrended a seemingly comfortable 2-0 lead away at Dens Park, only for Dundee to come back to win, 3-2.

Killie have also only lost one game at home all season, but they have equally, only won the one game there. It just so happened to be their most recent home match, a 1-0 victory over Sevco, last month.

But with so many games ending in draws, including during their European qualifying ties against Cercle Brugge, Tromso and Kobenhavn, expect McInnes to have his team well organized, prepared and determined.​

Stats & Facts​

• Celtic are currently undefeated domestically since the beginning of March.

• Brendan Rodgers will be looking to improve his patchy personal record against Kilmarnock overall (P16 W9 D3 L4), and even more so at Rugby Park (P:8 W:4 D0 L4).

• Killie have only won once at home so far this season, but have also only lost once there, with 5 draws in total, including against all 3 of their European opponants.

​

Nicholas Kuhn scored twice in Tuesday's 3-1 Champions League win against RB Leipzig

Team News

With only fringe midfielder, Odin Thiago Holm (calf) completely sidelined, Brendan Rodgers has plenty of options to choose from, even accounting for a slight doubt regarding Austin Trusty, after he took a bit of an ankle knock during the win over RB Leipzig, earlier this week.

As it happens, both Trusty and Cameron Carter-Vickers missed training since that match, possibly with Rodgers being mindful of the synthetic surface.​

As for the hosts, Stuart Findlay's ankle injury picked up last week appears to be worse than first feared, and could keep the defender sidelined until well into the new year. Meanwhile, Danny Armstrong could be a doubt, while Liam Polworth and Kyle Magennis are both close to a return, but are unlikely to be risked ahead of the International break.

Referee: Nick Walsh

Scotland's top whistleman will be taking charge of the Hoops game once again this weekend, with his most recent being the 2-2 draw with Aberdeen.

Celtic's Overall Record with Walsh
M:36 W:30 D:5 L:1

VAR: Don Robertson



~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P:261 W:172 D:57 L:32

Last 5 Meetings
W W D L W

~~~~ 2024/25 Form ~~~~ ​

Overall
W W W W D ~ L W L W W

SPFL
W W D W W ~ L W L W W​