Celtic v Kilmarnock: Team news, referee details, KO time & where to watch | OneFootball

Celtic face Kilmarnock on Saturday afternoon as the Scottish Champions close in on their fourth successive Premiership title and our 13th in 14 seasons as we continue to dominate the Scottish game…

Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers in technical area at McDiarmid Park. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, 06 April 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

Brendan Rodgers’ side could have won the title this afternoon had they beaten St Johnstone last weekend but the Celts fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat.

Celtic will look to bounce back from the disappointing defeat in Perth to get three points against Derek McInnes’ Killie. It could have bookmarked Celtic’s season if they were to begin the campaign with a win over Killie and wrap the title up against the Ayrshire side; however, it was not meant to be. Celtic will now need to focus on getting the title across the line after the split.

Celtic Team News

The manager promised that he would look at making changes ahead of this game because of the complacency that he feels has come into the group. This could mean that he makes a couple of changes in the engine room with potentially another forward coming into the team.

Celtic No.1 Kasper Schmeichel remains out with a shoulder injury. Liam Scales is still a doubt with a facial injury, although he will be in the squad.

South Korean attacker Yang is out with an elbow injury sustained at Perth last Sunday. With his arm in a sling for the next two weeks Yang will also miss the Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone next Sunday and also the first of the post match fixtures, which might be the day that the title is won. Apart from that Celtic have a full squad available.

Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, McDiarmid Park, Perth, 06 April 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace/IMAGO Shutterstock

Expect Sinisalo to start in goals. The Finnish stopper will be hoping to record a second clean sheet for the club.

In defence, expect Greg Taylor to come in to the starting XI at left back with Alistair Johnston at right back. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty will start in the central pairing.

Callum McGregor will start in the midfield with Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo two contenders to play slightly further forward.

Daizen Maeda, Jota and Nicolas Kühn will likely start in attack.

Daizen Maeda of Celtic scores his opening goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park on March 29, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Match Officials

Experienced referee John Beaton has been handed the whistle for the early kick-off clash. The 43-year-old will be assisted by Daniel McFarlane and Scott Anderson.

Meanwhile, at Clydesdale House, Gavin Duncan is on VAR with Gary Hilland assisting.

Kick Off Time

The game kicks off at 12:30pm (Celtic Park Time). The game was bought forward at the request of Sky Sports as they reckoned this would be the day we’d be celebrating the title win. Alas it was not to be but good things come to those who wait a little longer.

Brendan Rodgers Celtic manager and his players pose for a team picture with the SPFL Scottish League trophy before the cinch Premiership match between Celtic FC and Kilmarnock FC at Celtic Park on August 4, 2024. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

Where to Watch

The game will be shown on Sky Sports Football with coverage from Paradise beginning at 12 noon. The game will also be shown on Celtic TV with coverage being shown for subscribers outside Britain and Ireland.

It is a sell-out at Celtic Park this afternoon as Brendan’s team look to go within touching distance of the title, which could actually be won tomorrow with a Celtic win today followed by an Aberdeen victory at Pittodrie tomorrow against theRangers who may have one eye on their trip to the beautiful Basque city of Bilbao next week.

Celtic title celebrations 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Scoreline Prediction today – Three points is all that matters, Celtic to win 2-0.

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