Kilmarnock can’t spoil any title party this afternoon but Celtic can set up a Sunday sesh pending Pittodrie outcome
There league can’t be won today, but Celtic can at least try and set it up for Sunday.
Last weekend’s defeat to St Johnstone ruled out a Parkhead title party, but a win over Kilmarnock will force Rangers to do the same away to Aberdeen 24 hours later if they want to keep things going for another couple of weeks.
Brendan Rodgers didn’t mince his words following the defeat in Perth as he set a reminder about the standards he expects.
The gap to Rangers is a big one and the Celtic boss admits that it’s maybe seen them lose a little bit of their edge as they approach the Premiership finishing line.
That could see changes for the visit of Derek McInnes’ men, who need points as they look to avoid the relegation playoff spot while also keeping bottom placed St johnstone at bay.
Kasper Schmeichel is still missing for the Hoops with a shoulder injury and Yang is also out, although Liam Scales is back training..
But Rodgers has options to change it up elsewhere. Greg Taylor could come in in place of Jeffrey Schlupp and Nicolas Kuhn’s recent form means he would have little complaint if benched.
That may see James Forrrest handed a rare start after coming off the bench against Saints.
Daizen Maeda’s form through the middle has been excellent, but he fired a blank at McDiarmid Park so that cold see Adam Idah handed an opportunity impress, with Maeda shifted out wide again.
Here’s how Record Sport reckons the champions could line up.
Predicted Celtic XI
Provisional Celtic squad
Goalkeepers
- Viljami Sinisalo
- Scott Bain
Defenders
- Alistair Johnston
- Anthony Ralston
- Cameron Carter-Vickers
- Auston Trusty
- Liam Scales
- Maik Nawrocki
- Greg Taylor
- Jeffrey Schlupp
Midfielders
- Callum McGregor
- Reo Hatate
- Arne Engels
- Luke McCowan
- Jota
- Paulo Bernardo
- Jude Bonnar
Forwards
- Nicolas Kuhn
- Daizen Maeda
- Adam Idah
- James Forrest
