All Bhoy'd Up For Killie Clash

All Bhoy'd Up for Killie Clash
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


Oh at the double! Oh Hyeon-Gyu scored twice in the 4-1 win over Hibs in midweek

Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
Sunday, 10 December 2023
12.00 GMT

The Hoops head to Ayrshire on League duty this weekend, when they take on 6th placed Kilmarnock on Sunday.

The Bhoys responded to the deserved criticism that had been levelled, following some of the below par displays this season and carried on from the much improved second half performance against St Johnstone last weekend, with another much more comprehensive showing in the 4-1 win against Hibernian on Wednesday.

The Hoops showed all of the intensity, pace and quality in that game and the Celtic faithful will be wanting to see more of the same on Sunday also, which could help dispell the memories of the last time this particular journey was made, back in August.

On that occasion, the Celts' interests in retaining the League Cup was ended, 1-0, by Subday's hosts and even though the Hoops won the last meeting between these sides 3-1 in October, Kilmarnock are a much more difficult proposition on their own pitch than when they are on their travels.


Luis Palma had another productive night with a goal and an assist against Hibernian

Killie have demonstrably continued to improve this season compared to 2022/23. Having now re-established themselves in the Premiership, Derek McInnes' side display all those much tougher and well organized characteristics.

Killie have already taken points off of every team in the league, with the exception of St Johnstone and Celtic, who as already noted were knocked out of the League Cup by them. It goes to highlight just how competitive this incarnation of Kilmarnock have become this season.

Not only are they significantly better off by both position and points-wise from where they were this time last year, but are coming into this game on the back of a rare away win on Wednesday, when they beat Aberdeen, 1-0.


October: Greg Taylor celebrates scoring in the 3-1 win over Killie at Celtic Park

Stats & Facts​

• This weekend Celtic can equal their longest undefeated start (17 in 2017/18) to a league campaign since the 2016/17 'Invincibles' season.

• Additionally, the Hoops have not lost to Kilmarnock in the league since September 2018.

• Celtic have kept just 3 clean sheets in the last 10 League games.

• Kilmarnock's home form has continued to be the foundation for their progress. They are undefeated in games at home when they have scored first this season.

• Derek McInnes' side are also one of the most in-form defensively solid outfits in the Premiership, having conceded just 2 goals in the past 5 league games.

Team News

Celtic will continue without Reo Hatate (hamstring) and Stephen Welsh (ankle), while Daizen Maeda and Liel Abada are both back in training, however this game may be too soon for them to be up to speed and ready for.

Elsewhere, hopefully Cameron Carter-Vickers will be able to take his place in the starting XI, considering the defender was replaced at the interval during the Hibs as a precaution, after reportedly feeling a little tightness in his hamstring.

As for Killie, Innes Cameron and Kyle Magennis both remain out with hamstring problems, but otherwise McInnes has close to a full squad to choose from.​

Referee: David Munro

Munro has 59 Premiership games to his name since his debut in 2018/19. Curiously, all 3 of the wins that Celtic have had when Munro has been the referee have all come against Ross County.

Celtic's Overall Record
M: 7 W: 3 D: 3 L: 1

VAR: Greg Aitken

~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 257 W: 170 D: 56 L: 31​

Last 5 Meetings
W L W W W

~~~~ 2022/23 Form ~~~~

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

SPFL
W W D W W ~ W L D L W​