GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 11: Celtic huddle ahead of kick off during the William Hill Premiership between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on April 11, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Celtic will go with the same Starting XI and substitutes that beat Dundee on Monday for today’s match at Kilmarnock.
Martin O’Neill wasn’t on the team bus that arrived at Rugby Park but he may be travelling separately and watching from the stand after a midweek hospital stay.
Shaun Maloney has led training all week and will be in the dug out as the hoops look to follow up their opening day win over Dundee.
Kasper Hogh again leads the forward line with Camilo Duran expected to be on the right wing.
Liam Scales completes his suspension which allows Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty to develop their partnership.
Today’s match is the first in over a decade to be played on grass at Rugby Park.
Last week Kilmarnock lost 4-3 away to St Johnstone on the back of four League Cup ties that produced a goal difference of 2-0.
The reward for that is a second round tie against neighbours Ayr United on Friday night.
LAST SEASON AT KILMARNOCK FOR CELTIC
Celtic won three times on the plastic last season but even the Scottish Cup tie against Auchinleck Talbot was a struggle.
In the two SPFL clashes the matches were level at 90 minutes.
Back in September Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winner from a penalty. In February Julian Araujo scored a memorable winner deep into stoppage time.
For much of last season Kilmarnock were battling against finishing in the relegation Play Off spot. Eventually they succeeded, sending St Mirren into 11th place.
Next up for Celtic is League Cup tie on Saturday away to Dundee United.
Before that there will be intense speculation about signings. Heightened by the looming Champions League Play Off against LASK.
On August 13 the squad has to be registered with UEFA. Two changes can be made 24 hours before the first leg on August 19.
CELTIC: Sinisalo; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Tierney; McGregor, Engels, Nygren; Duran, Hogh, Yang
SUBS: Doohan, McCowan, Tounekti, Osmand, Oxlade Chamberlain, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Donovan
Same team – best available team – so can we play differently / much better
than on Monday night ?
Hope so.