Two teams with very different priorities meet at Rugby Park this afternoon as Celtic look to keep pressure on the Scottish Premiership summit while Kilmarnock battle to climb away from danger.
The Ayrshire side sit 11th with 20 points from 26 matches, just three behind Dundee in 10th, and recent signs of life under Neil McCann have lifted belief around the club. Killie’s chaotic 4-3 win over St Mirren last time out followed an impressive 3-0 victory against Aberdeen, results that halted a grim run which cost Stuart Kettlewell his job.
McCann’s side will draw confidence from those performances and from their last Rugby Park victory over Celtic in December 2023. Tyreece John-Jules is expected to spearhead the attack again as Killie look to build momentum and move closer to safety.
Celtic arrive as favourites, unbeaten since Martin O’Neill returned to steady the ship for a second time this season. The veteran manager initially stepped in after Brendan Rodgers’ departure, briefly handed over to Wilfried Nancy, then returned following a disastrous spell that derailed Celtic’s title challenge.
Since resuming control, O’Neill has overseen seven wins and two draws, including four victories in five league outings. That run has cut Hearts’ lead to six points with a game in hand, meaning a win today could shrink the gap to three depending on results elsewhere.
Late drama has become a theme. Junior Adamu’s 97th minute Scottish Cup equaliser against Dundee sparked an extra-time victory, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain struck deep into stoppage time against Livingston in midweek to secure all three points. Supporters will hope for an easier day on the blood pressure!
Celtic Team News vs Kilmarnock
Celtic remain without Alistair Johnston Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota. Arne Engles is a doubt which could open the door for a full debut for Oxlade Chamberlain.
Kick-off is 2pm, live on Sky Sports.
With Hearts facing Rangers later today, Celtic have a chance to make meaningful ground in the title race. However, Rugby Park is rarely comfortable.
Predicted Celtic XI vs Kilmarnock
Schmeichel Araujo, Trusty, Scales, Saracchi
Tounekti, Cvancara, Maeda
