Celtic is set to face Kilmarnock in their second match of the Scottish Premiership season this Sunday, with the game taking place at Rugby Park. The reigning champions began their title defense with a narrow 1-0 victory against Dundee at Celtic Park on Monday, thanks to a goal from midfielder Benjamin Nygren.
This win marked an impressive continuation of Celtic’s domestic form, extending their winning streak in the Scottish Premiership to eight matches. Historically, Celtic has dominated this fixture, having won their last four encounters at Kilmarnock's home ground.
As they prepare for this away match, Celtic will have to navigate some significant absences both on the field and in the coaching staff. Defender Liam Scales will miss the game as he serves the final match of a two-game suspension. Meanwhile, forward Jota is making progress in his recovery from an ACL injury but is still several weeks away from returning to competitive play.
Adding to the challenges, manager Martin O’Neill may not be on the sidelines due to a minor medical procedure he underwent earlier this week. In his potential absence, assistant coach Shaun Maloney is prepared to step in and lead the team from the bench.
Despite these setbacks, Celtic boasts a deep and talented roster, which should help them maintain their competitive edge. New signing Kasper Høgh is anticipated to start, contributing to the team's tactical approach and intensity on the pitch.
The predicted starting XI for Celtic includes Sinisalo; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Tierney; Engels, McGregor; Duran, Nygren, Hyun-Jun; and Høgh. This lineup reflects the team's depth and readiness to face Kilmarnock, even in the face of adversity.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 1:30 PM BST on Sunday, August 9. Fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports, as Celtic aims to continue their strong start to the season against a determined Kilmarnock side.
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