Bhoys Eye Killie Payback

Bhoys Eye Killie Payback
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


Luis Palma has impressed from off the bench and is pushing for a place in the starting XI


Celtic Park, Glasgow
Saturday, 7 October 2023
15.00 BST

The Hoops will be looking to sign off ahead of the International break with a 5th consecutive Premiership victory, when they host the visit of Kilmarnock on Saturday.

The Bhoys will want to put the disappointment of Wednesday behind them, as well as get a measure of revenge after going out of the League Cup at Rugby Park back in August. As such, there should be no shortage of motivation coming into this game.

Since Brendan Rodgers' return, it is fair to say that the league has been the one competition in which results have largely been going the way the Celtic faithful would have hoped -with the exception of the St Johnstone game. But that is not to say it has been all smooth sailing or filled with convincing performances, despite sitting 4 points clear at the top of the table ahead of St Mirren.


Joe Hart will be back between the posts after missing the Motherwell game through suspension

The Celts clearly have not yet fully found their groove in this campaign, as they try to adapt to the way Rodgers wants them to play. The previously mentioned elimination from the League Cup coupled with the nature of the two Champions League defeats and even the need for a last minute winner against Motherwell is a vivid reminder of how much this is very much still a work in progress.

Killie have increasingly become a tough, well organized and much improved team on last season's incarnation. Indeed, Saturday's visitors have already accomplished the rare double of defeating both the two big Glasgow clubs this season - having also beaten Sevco on the opening day.

That said, the Ayrshire side have struggled to find the right results since inflicting that League Cup defeat on Celtic back in August. Evem the fact they are coming into this game on the back of three consecutive draws in the Premiership illustrates their battling qualities that McInnes are instilled.


Liam Scales' form for the Hoops has seen him called up to the Republic of Ireland NT

By the Numbers​

• Celtic are undefeated in the last 45 matches at Paradise against all domestic opposition since January 2021.

• Additionally, the Hoops have not lost to Kilmarnock in the league since September 2018.

• Kilmarnock's difficulties away from Rugby Park continues to plague them this season, having picked up just two points on their travels.

• Further to that, Derek McInnes' side have only scored three league goals on the road - two of which in the same 2-2 draw with Dundee.

Team News

Brendan Rodgers is clearly still trying to find his best XI, and this will likely to continue this weekend. Even without Maik Nawrocki (hamstring) and Stephen Welsh (ankle), and the return of Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Thiago Holm - both once again available for selection following being suspended for the Lazio game in midweek - questions remain that the manager needs to find answers for.

For example, fullbacks Alistair Johnston and Greg Taylor seem to still be adjusting to the system and role that Rodgers wants of them, and as a result neither are having the impact that as last season.

Then there is the meretricious nature of Yang Hyun-Jun, which has left many questioning how to get the best out of the player, especially when Luis Palma appears to be finding a groove and will be looking for more game time than coming from off the bench.

Meanwhile there also remains the uncertainty of either Cameron Carter-Vickers or Nat Phillips being able of last 90 minutes at this stage.

As for Killie, it has been revealed that Kyle Magennis hamstring injury is far worse than originally thought. The midfielder has been ruled out until after the new year at the earliest, after picking up the injury during the 1-1 draw with St Mirren.​

Referee: Matthew McDermid

Celtic will be hoping for a better performance and result than the 0-0 draw with St Johnstone, back in August - the first and only time McDermid has previously officiated a game involving the Hoops.

Celtic's Overall Record
M: 1 W: 0 D: 1 L: 0

VAR: David Dickenson

~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 256 W: 169 D: 56 L: 31​

Last 5 Meetings
L W W W W

~~~~ 2022/23 Form ~~~~

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

SPFL
W W W D W ~ D D D L L​