Predicted Celtic Lineup To Face Kilmarnock
With the Premiership title now secured and the players looking to make amends for a disappointing result in midweek, Celtic host Kilmarnock on Saturday with nothing but a big victory on their minds.
For their part, Kilmarnock fought well for a draw against Rangers at home the other day, though it was a game which may well have taken plenty out of them. Brendan Rodgers is savvy and may be tempted to play his quickest players against potentially tired legs.
Expected Celtic Starting XI:
Formation: 4-3-3
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
GK – Craig Gordon
Quietly going about his job these days, the former Hearts and Scotland ‘keeper should appear once more.
RB – Mikael Lustig
The Swede may switch from a right-sided centre-back role to right-back this time after Rodgers deployed a 3-5-2 on Tuesday.
CB – Jozo Simunovic
The 22-year-old would keep his place at the back next to main man Sviatchenko in a 4-back formation this time around.
CB – Erik Sviatchenko
Celtic’s best defender will undoubtedly prefer playing in a back four again. Kilmarnock will do well to force some errors out of him. Sean Longstaff is a danger and must be watched well by Sviatchenko.
LB – Kieran Tierney
The Scotland international was dropped for the midweek game in favour of Emilio Izaguirre but should come back in and as mentioned above, he will be used for his extra pace down the left-hand side when Celtic attack.
RM – Stuart Armstrong
Stuart Armstrong remains one of Celtic’s best and will be fresh for this game. A huge presence in the midfield with a good eye for goal.
CM – Scott Brown
The captain may come back in and will add his abundant experience to the line-up. Will be instrumental in dictating the flow of the game.
LM – Callum McGregor
McGregor did play in midweek but was substituted and so remains part of a fresh midfield trio ready to cause havoc to Kilmarnock at Celtic Park.
RW – Patrick Roberts
The on-loan Man City man has all the pace and trickery required to tear open Killie’s defence. Watch out for him cutting in from the right onto his favoured left foot.
LW – Gary Mackay-Steven
Now getting his opportunity, Mackay-Steven should relish it and he will be determined to land his first goal of the season in his 12th attempt this season.
ST – Scott Sinclair
Injuries to Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths have forced Brendan Rodgers’ hand to play Sinclair up front. But in any case, Sinclair will not let anyone down he has the pace to cause problems. His finishing ability is not in question so a no.9 role should be fine for him.