Celtic vs Kilmarnock

Celtic face Kilmarnock on Saturday afternoon as Ange Postecoglou's side look to begin the New Year at Paradise with a win. Following the draw at Ibrox on ...

The game will be played out in front of a capacity crowd at Celtic Park. The midfielder will feel that he needs to prove a point given impressive showings from Hatate and Mooy in recent weeks, especially with O’Riley reiterating his determination to get back to his best. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt will likely start in the heart of the defence, even with Moritz Jenz chomping at the bit for game time. Giorgos Giakoumakis’ future is up in the air with the Greek striker seemingly refusing to sign a new contract. Ange stated that there was a sickness bug going through the squad in anticipation of the game at Ibrox. Celtic won 5-0 down at Rugby Park back in August and will be looking for a performance as clinical as that afternoon.

Yuki Kobayashi is also on the bench for the second time. Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes, meanwhile, has selected Lewis Mayo and new signing Kyle Vassell while ...

Jota returns to start alongside Alexandro Bernabei while Josip Juranovic is on the bench for the reigning champions. [Celtic](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/celtic-fc) signing [ Tomoki Iwata](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/tomoki-iwata) jetted in to Glasgow this weekend. The club are currently nine points clear at the top of the table following Monday's 2-2 draw at Ibrox and Postecoglou will demand his players continue their form with another three points. [Kilmarnock](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/kilmarnock-fc) boss Derek McInnes, meanwhile, has selected Lewis Mayo and new signing Kyle Vassell while Christian Doidge is on the bench for the visitors. [Celtic's](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/celtic-fc) clash with Kilmarnock this afternoon. [Premiership](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/scottish-premiership) battle is the dress rehearsal for next weekend's Viaplay Cup semi-final at Hampden between the two sides but no inch has been given by the Hoops boss with his team selection.

Manager Ange Postecoglou has named his Celtic team vs Kilmarnock for today's Scottish Premiership clash at Celtic Park.

There is no PPV service for this match, with the club limited to five per season. As expected, the manager has been able to name a strong eleven for that purpose. The verdict on Celtic team vs Kilmarnock

Celtic will look to go twelve points clear of rivals Rangers after Monday's 2-2 firecracker Old Firm derby.

After the storm of a 2-2 draw with their rivals, [Celtic](https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/all-about/celtic-fc) have the prospect of facing Derek McInnes' side twice in the space of a week. On his other injured stars, he added: "In terms of the ones returning, they are all closer but none are available for [Saturday]." Much has been made in the aftermath of Monday's firecracker derby but the Aussie will want his side focused. He said: "Greg has got a slight hamstring [injury] so we got a scan. Anthony Ralston went down against Livingston but isn't quite ready to return while Postecoglou expanded on former Killie star Taylor's extent. [Ange Postecoglou's](https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/all-about/ange-postecoglou) men have the carrot of going twelve points clear at the top of the table at Parkhead with [Rangers](https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/all-about/rangers-fc) set to face off with bottom-half Dundee United on Sunday.

ANGE POSTECOGLOU recalls Jota to his starting line-up as Celtic take on Kilmarnock at Parkhead today.It's a dress rehearsal of the Viaplay Cup semi-fi.

[Postecoglou](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/who/ange-postecoglou/)'s side can extend their lead at the top of the table to 12-POINTS with a win as second-placed rivals Rangers don't play until tomorrow. - A live stream of the match will be broadcast by Celtic TV - but only to viewers outside the UK and Ireland. - Celtic v Kilmarnock will NOT be shown on live TV.

Celtic went twelve points clear at the top of the table after a comfortable win against Kilmarnock who they will face at Hampden next week.

A great front post run for second goal - he came alive. Came to life in the box before the break but Jota was offside. Looked eager to prove a point when he came on. A few more chances himself in the second half but no goal. A sublime eye for a pass shown by the opener and a good cross for Kyogo for the second. Kyogo - 8 A good showing and will give him confidence. Nice link-up in the midfield from the off. The Portuguese struck just before the whistle after Daizen Maeda was set free on the left and the winger cut in to the six yard to roll the ball home with Kyogo also sliding in. Jota - 8 Celtic continued to press Killie and were unlucky not to make it a trio of goals as all eyes are now on Hampden. The league leaders were loose in their possession before Killie clipped the crossbar and [Kyogo](https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/all-about/kyogo-furuhashi) netted but his counterpart Jota was offside.

Jota ended Kilmarnock's impressive resistance on the stroke of half-time to send Celtic on their way to a 2-0 victory which put them 12 points clear at the ...

Reo Hatate overlapped Mooy and received a pass before sending in a low cross towards Furuhashi. The Japan international cut the ball back and Jota knocked it home from close range after Furuhashi had slid in front of Walker. Celtic took 20 minutes to force a corner and another five before getting their first effort at goal, when Jota’s deflected effort was easily held by Sam Walker.

A strike from Jota and an Ash Taylor own goal earned Celtic a 2-0 win against Kilmarnock, as the league leaders extended the gap between them and Rangers.

The shot appeared to take a deflection off Taylor before finding its way into the back of the net. The Japan international cut the ball back and Jota knocked it home from close range after Furuhashi had slid in front of Walker. However, Jota netted from close range in the final minute of the first half before Celtic added a second shortly after the interval. Reo Hatate overlapped Mooy and received a pass before sending in a low cross that was diverted towards goal by Furuhashi. The visitors lined up with five at the back and defended from the front to deny the Celtic midfield time on the ball. The referee, Nick Walsh, played on after a VAR check.