Hoops Host Killie Cup Clash

Hoops Host Killie Cup Clash
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


November: Nicholas Kuhn scores in the 2-0 Premiership win when these sides last met


Celtic Park, Glasgow
Saturday, 18 January 2025
17.30 GMT

The Hoops turn their attention to the defence of their Scottish Cup crown on Saturday evening, when they host the visit of Kilmarnock to Celtic Park.

With the League Cup already secured in the Parkhead trophy cabinet, and the Bhoys currently 13 points clear at the top of the Premiership ladder following the 3-3 draw with Dundee in midweek, Celtic are eyeing up the possibility of another treble, which puts the importance of this weekend's game into immediate focus.

This Killie match comes at a little bit of a tricky time, considering achieving another domestic treble which is dependant upon winning every Cup game, beginning with victory against Killie, but counter-balanced by the fact that the Champions League returns next week, and both games coming back-to-back in the midst of such a busy fixture schedule.


Kasper Schmeichel has kept a clean sheet in both previous games against Killie so far this season

Derek McInnes side have struggled to replicate the sort of form that they displayed in 2023/24, when they managed to finish 4th in the Premiership.

It could be argued that their European campaign hamstrung the early part of the season amd which limited their involvment in the League Cup, but here we are in January and find themsevles currently sitting in 9th, ahead of just Ross County (10th) on goal difference and a single point above of Hearts in the danger zone, with St Johnstone seemingly being cut adrift in the automatic relegation spot.

That said, Killie's form has picked up since the start of December, without really being able to put any distance between themselves and the scrap for survival they are embroiled in with a clutch of other teams.

Prior to this season, Killie have often proved a thorn in Brendan Rodgers' side, but so far there has been no such stumble this campaign, with the Bhoys having won 4-0 back in August, as well as securing another 2-0 success at Rugby Park in November.

Given the form and priorities for each team, it could make for a very interesting afternoon considering what is at stake. Celtic will undoubtedly go into the match as favourites, but nothing can be taken for granted, and especially in a Cup game, where anything can happen.

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Stats & Facts​

• Celtic are currently undefeated against all opposition and all competitions at Paradise since December 2023.

• Brendan Rodgers will be looking to improve his patchy personal record against Kilmarnock overall (P17 W10 D3 L4).

• The Hoops have not been defeated by Killie at Parkhead since October 2012.

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Greg Taylor made his 200th Celtic appearance this week, after joining from Killie in 2019

Team News

Brendan Rodgers is expected to have Daizen Maeda back in contention, and Nicholas Kuhn could be available from the start after coming from off the bench in midweek. However, the question of the starting XI could be open to speculation, considering recent form and the imminent return of the Champions League and a crucial matchup with Swiss Champs, Young Boys, next week.​

As for the visitors, Calvin Ramsey could make his Killie debut following his loan switch from Liverpool earlier this week, while also fending off Hearts' £600k approach for Bruce Anderson. The visitors will, however, be without Stuart Findlay, Innes Cameron and club captain Kyle Vassell.

Referee: Nick Walsh

Scotland's top referee officiated his first Scottish Cup game in 2012, and has twice been appointed to the Final, in 2021 and 2024. This will be the 3rd time this season he will have crossed paths with Celtic, including the last time these sides met.

Celtic's Overall Record with Walsh
M:37 W:31 D:5 L:1

VAR: Steven McLean



~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P:262 W:173 D:57 L:32

Last 5 Meetings
W W W D L

~~~~ 2024/25 Form ~~~~ ​

Overall
D W W W W ~ D L W L W​