Celtic are edging closer to another Premiership crown, but a shocking defeat against bottom-placed St Johnstone was mainly due to complacency and overconfidence. The Bhoys will host Kilmarnock on Saturday lunchtime, and their wastefulness upfront could frustrate them again while chasing heads with another relegation-riddled side.
Killie, under Derek McInnes, finished fourth in 2023-24 upon their return to the top-flight of Scottish football. But the ‘second season syndrome’ has found them just a point clear of the relegation playoff. Celtic have defeated them in all three meetings this term, including an edgy 2-1 FA Cup fourth round victory at Parkhead earlier this year. The Hoops could make it four this weekend ahead of locking horns with the Saints once again, this time at Hampden Park in the FA Cup semifinal.
Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Kilmarnock
Defence
Kasper Schmeichel is ruled out for weeks due to a shoulder injury. Viljami Sinisalo is finally enjoying a run of games after spending the campaign as the Dane’s understudy in the Celtic goal. He kept a clean sheet against Hearts in their previous home tie, and the Finnish custodian must deliver another strong performance, shaking off the disappointment of McDiarmid Park.
Left fullback Greg Taylor might return to the starting XI, having replaced Jeffrey Schlupp at half-time during their defeat in Perth. The USMNT pair Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty could keep their place in the heart of the backline, and so is Alistair Johnston, who has been Brendan Rodgers’ preferred choice down the right over Anthony Ralston. A face injury has kept Liam Scales on the sidelines, but the gaffer would have Maik Nawrocki, who has recently been reintegrated, among his substitutes.
Midfield
Skipper Callum McGregor must demonstrate his dominance as the deep-lying playmaker. His technicality, vision, and all-around traits would enable the ‘number 8s’ to make box-to-box movements and operate in advanced areas. Arne Engels and Reo Hatate have been the first-choice central midfielders, but the manager might bring in Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo as second-half substitutes.
Attack
Celtic have ample options in attack, but they are highly reliant on Daizen Maeda’s blistering scoring form high up the pitch. Jota should feature from the left; however, Rodgers must make the call whether to stick with Nicolas Kuhn, considering his lack of consistency down the right. The German wideman might still get the nod, but the Celts’ boss has Yang Hyun-Jun, James Forrest and Adam Idah who could be introduced as ‘super subs’.
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