Predicted Celtic Lineup To Face Kilmarnock In The Scottish Premiership
Celtic will look to extend their unbeaten run in the domestic competitions when they take on Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership, at the Rugby Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Hoops are currently placed second in the Premiership table, behind St. Johnstone, owing to their inferior goals scored tally compared to the Saints. Manager Brendan Rodgers will be intent on making three wins out of three in the league this new season and they have the momentum with them, following their 5-0 thrashing of Kazakhstan club Astana in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League play-off stages.
Team News
Striker Moussa Dembele continues to be absent due to an injury, along with defenders Dedryck Boyata and Erik Sviatchenko.
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Craig Gordon (GK)
The 34-year old shot-stopper has kept three clean sheets in the last three games in all competitions, and will be hoping to add another one to his tally on Saturday.
Mikael Lusting (RB)
The Swede will keep his spot at the right-back position for the game, ahead of the young Anthony Ralston.
Jozo Simunovic (CB)
Has become the senior man in defence, with Boyata and Sviatchenko unavailable. Another solid showing is expected from the Croatian.
Nir Bitton (CB)
Rodgers has looked to use the Israeli midfielder in the heart of the defence, to mixed success so far, but expect the experiment to continue against Kilmarnock as well.
Kieran Tierney (LB)
The 20-year old is one of the first names on the team-sheet for Rodgers and that is unlikely to change for the weekend league encounter.
Olivier Ntcham (CM)
The youngster has been top class in the past week and should retain his spot in the middle of the park for the Saturday’s encounter.
Stuart Armstrong (CM)
Rodgers could look to rest his captain Scott Brown for the game and as a result could hand Armstrong his first start in three games to add some experience to his midfield.
James Forrest (RW)
Scored in the midweek against Astana and should start again on the right-hand side of the attack, ahead of Jonny Hayes.
Callum McGregor (CAM)
Benched for the Champions League play-off tie, we could see the Scotsman come back into the starting XI, replacing Australian Tom Rogic, who started in the midweek clash.
Scott Sinclair (LW)
Grabbed a double against Astana on Wednesday night and will want to build on it and add a few more to his tally, against Kilmarnock.
Leigh Griffiths (ST)
Hasn’t let the absence of Dembele be felt at the top of the attacking line. Should be persisted with as the spearhead, by the manager.