Hoops Host Killie in Crunch Clash
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~




Sebastian Tounetki impressed on debut in the 2-1 win against Kilmarnock back in September


Celtic Park, Glasgow
Sunday, 9 November 2025
16.00 GMT

The Hoops return home to League action this weekend and desperately in need of a return to winning ways, when they host Kilmarnock, tomorrow afternoon.

Although bouyed by the League Cup Semi-Final derby success at Hampden last weekend, the Hoops were brought back down to earth with a humbling 3-1 defeat at the hands of Europa League leaders, Midtjylland, on Thursday.

It was yet another reminder of just how much work remains to be done, with many of the same recurring issues continuing to plague the Celts at both ends of the park - not least of which, at set pieces and an inability to clear their lines effectively. Quite simply, so long as these exist, other teams will attempt to target this.

As it happens, these were the same issues which Kilmarnock also sought to exploit, when these sides last met, back in September.

Despite Celtic ultimately prevailing, 2-1, it was only due to a VAR awarded spotkick deep into stoppage time, which was converted by Kelechi Iheanacho on debut, that the Hoops managed to escape from Rugby Park with all three points.

Stuart Kettlewell's side that day were disciplined in defence, spirited in character, sought every chance to counter with what little of the ball that they had, and piled on the pressure at any set piece to maximize any such opportunity. Had they managed to take anything from that game, noone could have begrudged them for their efforts.

If the Ayrshire club put in a similiar display tomorrow, it could be a very awkward afternoon, with the mounting pressure of Hearts' lead at the top, which currently stands at 9 points (albeit having played one game more), and the Bhoys' situation has been exacerbated by a further complication.


The Green Brigade will be missing over the coming month, starting with this match v Killie

The latest development in the rift between an element of the support and the Club executive have contrieved to record another 'own goal', adding to the existing trouble.

The Green Brigade, who bring so much vibrancy and passion to the matchday atmosphere, are set to serve a six match suspension imposed upon them by the Club following an alleged unsavoury incident involving sections of that group, stewards and police, which occured during last week's match against Falkirk.

With such a vocal part of the support absent, it makes a noticable difference, as exemplified the last time such a ban was imposed, in 2023. It certainly didn't help and may've contributed to a considerable wobble of form then also, as the team struggled at times, both home and away.

With the Hoops' current Premiership form already shakey, they need the support to get right behind them as much as possible to help lift them through this tricky stage of the season, so losing such a prominant part of that is not going to make things any easier.

Over the last 7 league matches since the end of August, Celtic have dropped points against Sevco, Hibs, Dundee and Hearts, while only narrowly edging past past Killie and Motherwell, both courtesy of late stoppage time winners and both far from assured.

All of which highlights how scratchy the recent form has been.

The sole exception to that trend was last week's 4-0 win against Falkirk.

Perhaps it was part of the 'new manager bounce', but it also can't be forgotten that just two years ago the Bairns were playing in League One, and are very much still the proverbial new boys on the block, so to speak. So it's possible that may've been a little awed by Celtic Park on what was a pretty special night because of O'Neill's return.

Whatever it is, the Hoops need to start finding some consistent form and need to build upon that performance against Falkirk. With the International break looming, Celtic really cannot afford to lose any more ground to the current League leaders.

The hunt to claw that back begins on Sunday against Kilmarnock.
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Benjamin Nygren is the Hoops' top scorer so far this season with 6 goals - including 5 in the League

While Kilmarnock started this season off in impressive style - Celtic's aforementioned win in September was their first and only defeat until the middle of October - things have gone significantly off the rails since then, as defeats by Hearts, Sevco, Aberdeen and Falkirk have seen them slip to 10th in the Premiership, albeit on goal difference.

However, such is the compressed nature of the current table, just 5 points seperates 3rd and where Killie currently find themselves, so it is not like they have suddently been cut adrift, and it only takes a couple of positive results to potentially swiftly climb back up the ladder.

If the visitors can replicate the same sort of display they produced at Rugby Park in September, in combination with Celtic's own form concerns, a growing injury list, external pressure imposed from the Tynecastle challenge and a potentially subdued atmosphere, it could make for a particularly awkward afternoon for the Bhoys, making this clash anything but straight forward.

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Stats & Facts​

• The Hoops have won each of their last 6 encounters against Killie and are undefeated since December 2023.

• Celtic have kept just 3 clean sheets in the past 11 games against the Ayrshire club.

• Additionally the Bhoys have recorded just 1 clean sheet in the past 8 games.

• Martin O'Neill will be looking to add to an impressive record in this fixture, with 17 wins overall (P19 W17 D1 L1), including winning every 'Home' game.

• Both teams are undefeated in games when they have scored first, but neither has managed to come back to win after conceding first.

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Martin O'Neill will want another win against Killie in Paradise but has a growing injury headache

Team News

The Hoops will be without Callum Osmand and Arne Engels, both of whom O'Neill noted picked up hamstring issues against Midtjylland, in addition to the existing absentees Alistair Johnston (hamstring), Cameron Carter-Vickers (achilles) and Jota (ACL), while Kalechi Iheanacho is also rated as a doubt as he nears a return from a hamstring layoff, and it could be after the International break until he is called back into action.

The 'Gaffer' will have to make some adjustments to the starting XI, at the very least with Engels out, to be likely replaced by Hatate, while Anthony Ralston, who had a torrid time in midweek, could also come under pressure for his place.​

As for the visitors, Marley Watkins and Matthew Kennedy near a return to action but it remains to be seen if they will be risked this weekend, while Lewis Mayo and Jamie Brandon are also rated as doubts. Elsewhere, Max Stryjek is ruled out until after the new year at least and Djenairo Daniels is likely to miss the rest of the season.

Referee: Don Robertson

The 38y.o. has taken charge of 206 Premiership matches since his debut in 2014 and is consistently rated as one of the top two active referees in Scotland. The Bhoys have won just one of their last 4 matches when Robertson has officiated, with two goalless draws, against Hibs and Sevco, being the two most recent that he has been appointed to.

Celtic's Record with Beaton
M:48 W:38 D:6 L:4

VAR: Greg Aitken

Weather

Light rain and a gentle breeze is anticipated with temperature of approximately 11°C.




~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P:265 W:176 D:57 L:32

Last 5 Meetings
W W W W W

~~~~ 2025/26 Form ~~~~ ​

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

SPFL
W L L W D ~ L L L L W​