Celtic have regained momentum following a 4-1 victory against Hibernian on Wednesday night. They are now gearing up for Sunday afternoon with Kilmarnock set to test their resolve at Rugby Park. Derek McInnes’ men knocked the Hoops out of the Scottish League Cup second round earlier this season and the upbeat Killie are capable enough to script another upset in their own backyard.
The Hoops clinched a commanding 3-1 win when they hosted Kilmarnock in the Premiership a couple of months ago. But it won’t be as straightforward as the Parkhead tie unless they show sheer supremacy over the weekend. Brendan Rodgers rested some of his key personnel against the Hibs and he might undergo a selection dilemma this time around, particularly after a stupendous performance from his sporadic options.
Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Kilmarnock
Defence
A goal from Christian Doidge midway through the second half denied Joe Hart a clean sheet in an otherwise quiet outing. The wait continues for the veteran Englishman who has conceded on every occasion since his side’s emphatic 6-0 victory against Aberdeen before the international break.
Alistair Johnston has been a like-for-like replacement for Josip Juranovic for the right-back role. Greg Taylor is likely to retain his place on the left, but the availability of Cameron Carter-Vickers depends on a late fitness test. The American centre-half was taken off at half-time due to a tight hamstring and the gaffer must not rush him into the starting XI given the depth as well as quality in the heart of the backline. Nat Phillips should start alongside Liam Scales despite having the likes of Maik Nawrocki, Gustaf Lagerbielke and Stephen Welsh as the central defensive alternatives.
Midfield
Rodgers has rotated all available names to replace Reo Hatate in the middle of the park. However, none of Odin Thiago Holm, Paulo Bernardo and David Turnbull has been on par with the injured Japanese ace. The decision to deploy Tomoki Iwata as a deep-lying playmaker fits better, as it allows skipper Callum McGregor to operate in the advanced areas. Matt O’Riley has been exquisite as the other ‘number 8’, and the manager should stick with the ‘midfield three’ that worked seamlessly against Hibernian.
Attack
Injuries to both Daizen Maeda and Liel Abada have decimated Celtic down the right-hand flank. Mikey Johnston could get a run of games over James Forrest, Marco Tilio and Yang Hyun-Jun with the latter facing Rodgers’ wrath after a dreadful first half against St Johnstone. Luis Palma has been a revelation from the left, but we might see Oh Hyeon-gyu losing his place to Kyogo Furuhashi even though the South Korean international netted a brace two days back.
