Match preview: Kilmarnock vs Celtic

Killie return to Rugby Park on Sunday (December 10) to host Celtic in the early kick-off.

Derek McInnes’ side will come into this one on a high following a much-needed away victory over Aberdeen on Wednesday night.

Killie finally got three points on the road, thanks to a stoppage-time stunner from ‘The Prestwick Pirlo’, David Watson. However, Watson won’t be in the squad to face the champions as he is suspended, having accumulated too many bookings.

Team news

Killie are facing something of a midfield crisis, with the aforementioned Watson being banned and Brad Lyons, Liam Donelly and Rory McKenzie all being injury doubts. Perhaps someone like Liam Polworth may slot into the team. Who he plays alongside may prove more troublesome for McInnes as the only viable option within the first-team setup is Fraser Murray, who struggled when he was thrust in from the cold against Celtic last season. Who knows? The manager may turn to youth with the likes of Aaron Quigg, who featured in matchday squads in the League Cup, on hand to step in if needed. Centre-back Joe Wright is also set to miss this one with a calf injury having missed the last two games, alongside longer-term absentees Kyle Magennis and Innes Cameron.

As for Brendan Rodgers’ side, they’ll be without Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Liel Abada. Cameron Carter-Vickers is a doubt, having sustained an injury in midweek.

Reasons to be cheerful for Killie

So far this season, the Ayrshire side have a 100% record against the Old Firm at Rugby Park, having beaten Rangers on the first league match of the season and eliminated Sunday’s opposition from the League Cup, defeating them both 1-0.

Celtic come into this match in, by their standards, inconsistent form. They convincingly dispatched Hibernian on Wednesday, beating Nick Montgomery’s side 4-1. Before that, they got three points with a 3-1 comeback victory over St Johnstone. At half-time in that match, the Celtic boss was said to have delivered his angriest team talk. They also dropped points recently to a struggling Motherwell side at Celtic Park.

Killie could rise to fifth with a victory (and a point off third) place.

How to follow the action

If you can’t make it to Rugby Park, then fear not as this game is live on Sky Sports. Kick-off is at midday, and their coverage begins at 11:00 on Sky Sports Football.

If you’d rather listen to the game, click here for a link to commentary provided by HBSA Radio, Crosshouse Hospital’s radio station.