Celts Kick Off Campaign

Celts Kick Off Campaign
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


The Bhoys are back in town! Celtic's 2024/25 Season officially gets underway on Sunday


Celtic Park, Glasgow
Sunday, 4 August 2024
16.30 BST

Here we go again! The 2024/25 season officially gets underway this weekend, with Celtic kicking off their Premiership title defence against Kilmarnock, tomorrow afternoon.
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There is always cause for optimism at the start of a new campaign, the Bhoys will come into this match high on confidence already after what can only be described as a tremendously successful pre-season tour of the United States, which featured wins over English Premiership sides, Manchester City and Chelsea.

But all of that will count for absolutely nothing once the referee's whistle sounds for kick off on Sunday.

But, if any further incentive were needed, following Saturday's results, the Hoops have an almost immediate chance to seize the early initiative in the title race.
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Kasper Schmeichal and Brendan Rodgers reunited and looking for more silverware this season

Off the park the Club has been quietly going about their business of preparing for this new season. This is reflected by the fact that so far there hasn't been a great deal of new faces joinging the squad, apart from the two goalkeepers - the great Dane, Kasper Schmeichal and the flying Finn, Viljami Sinisalo.

The last time these sides met resulted in a comprehensive 5-0 win that secured the Hoops' third straight league title, yet despite that. Kilmarnock were undoubtedly a side that proved to be a recurring headache throughout 2023/24.

The Ayrshire side not only knocked Celtic out of the League Cup, they also managed to record a league win and earned a deserved draw the last time that they visited Parkhead.

Killie boss Derek McInnes earned a slew of plaudits and awards for his efforts in guiding the Rugby Park side to a 4th place finish in last season's competition, including masterminding those previously mentioned results, and no doubt, he will be hopeful for more of the same from the season ahead also.

The visitors, however, will be coming into this game on the back of being eliminated from qualifying for the Europa League - although they still have the chance to potentiallly progress to the Conference League.

Nothing can ever be taken for granted, however while Celtic will be looking to lay down an early marker for the season ahead, they cannot afford to underestimate Derek McInnes' side on Sunday.​

Stats & Facts​

• Celtic are currently undefeated since the beginning of March.

• Brendan Rodgers has a very spotty record against Kilmarnock (P15 W8 D3 L4).

• Killie have won just once since the League split at the end of last season.

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The 2023/24 League Premiership flag will be raised by Lisbon Lion, Jim Craig ahead of the match

Team News

Brendan Rodgers has had the benefit of close to a full squad to select from, with the only doubt concerning Daizen Maeda (knee), while Nicholas Kuhn could be in contention after shaking off his recent back strain.

Apart from that, most attention will be on the new Bhoy featuring for the first time at Paradise, as Kasper Schmeichel takes over as custodian between the sticks following the retirement of Joe Hart, at the end of last season.

As for the visitors, the main question will be regarding the fitness of Joe Wright, after the defender was forced off at the interval during Killie's 1-0 Europa League Qualifier defeat by Cerle Bruges on Thursday.

Elsewhere new signings, Corrie Ndaba and Oliver Bainbridge could both be in contention after they recently linked up with the Ayrshire outfit, while Kyle Magennis is also looking to make a return after what was a injury plagued 2023/24 season.

Referee: Don Robertson

The 37 year old has officiated 175 Premiership games since his debut in August 2014. The Bhoys have won all 4 previous encounters between these sides when Robertson has had the whistle - the most recent being the last time these sides met, back in May.

Celtic's Overall Record with Robertson
M:38 W:33 D:3 L:2

VAR: Greg Aitken



~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 260 W: 171 D: 57 L: 32

Last 5 Meetings
W D L W L​