Kilmarnock v Celtic – Team News, Match Officials , KO time & Where to Watch | OneFootball

Celtic head down the M77 today looking to get the show back on the road after a week of turmoil during the international break…

This afternoon though Celtic are back, three points are the main focus and of course there’s the matter of the Celtic support getting our first chance to inform the Celtic Board ‘face-to-face’ exactly what we think of their statement and their ‘Celtic Insider’ who attacked our manager in such a cowardly fashion in the Sun newspaper.

That’s why Celtic’s increasingly undervalued 12th man will remind the Celtic Board of what the support brings to the team each and every game.

Celtic Team News

Auston Trusty remains out with a foot injury along with Alistair Johnston (hamstring) and Brendan Rodgers will also be without Tony Ralston this afternoon. Kieran Tierney withdraw from Scotland duty as well but it’s hoped that this was more precautionary and the manager confirmed he trained on Friday.

Marcelo Saracchi is ready to step into the team should Tierney be unavailable but with Colby Donovan coming in to replace Ralston, I’d imagine that the manager would prefer KT.  However the plastic pitch might make the manager rather cautious to start KT so that could mean Saracchi getting a first start.

The back four will start in front of Kasper Schmeichel, who kept two clean sheets during the international break.

Benjamin Nygren celebrates scoring during Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park on August 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

In midfield, Callum McGregor will start with Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren. Arne Engels could come into the team if the manager wants to play the Swede further forward but given that there have been additions in the forward line, he may revert to playing Nygren in the ‘8’ role that he was signed for.

Sebastian Tounekti and Kelechi Iheanacho will be in the squad but the Nigerian striker is expected to start from the bench as The Celtic Star reported during the week. The former Hammarby winger may very well start out on the right with Michel-Ange Balikwisha on the left.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha. theRangers v Celtic,31 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Daizen Maeda, who revealed that he had an exit route blocked during the summer, will start through the middle. Iheanacho, Shin and Johnny Kenny will likely be on the bench looking to make an impact if called upon.

Predicted Celtic Team

Predicted XI: Schmeichel; Donovan,, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Saracchi; McGregor, Hatate, Engels; Nygren, Maeda, Balikwisha.

Subs: Sinisalo, Jawhai SP, Tierney, McCowan, Bernardo, Forrest, Yang, Shin Yamada, Tounekti, Kenny and Iheanacho.

The official Celtic news will be posted at 1.45pm.

Match Officials

Referee John Beaton shows Liam Scales a yellow card during the Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Pittodrie on 10 August 2025. Photo Stephen Dobson PSI (IMAGO)

John Beaton will referee the match with Jonathan Bell and Paul McAvinue assisting. Meanwhile, at Clydesdale House, Matthew MacDermid is on VAR duties with Ross Hardie assisting.

Kick-off Time

This afternoon’s Scottish Premiership match between Kilmarnock and Celtic kicks off at 3pm (Celtic Park Time).

Where to Watch

The action from Ayrshire will be shown on Sky Sports Football with build up from Chris Sutton and Co starting at 2.30pm. Kris Boyd will be in the studio to discuss early relegation contenders theRangers defeat to Hearts at Ibrox yesterday, which might result in a further and incredibly amusing meltdown. Kilmarnock v Celtic will also be shown live for subscribers to Celtic TV based outside of Britain and Ireland.

Predicted Score

Brendan Rodgers at Ibrox. theRangers v Celtic, 31 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Had a few near misses so far this season but none bang on the money after a very good batting average last season. Today I reckon Celtic will score three but can’d decide of Killie will get a goal or not. Glass half full on this one, so I’ll go for Kilmarnock 0-3 Celtic.

COYBIG

Celtic in the Eighties – Out now, it’s our fastest selling book ever and accordingly stocks are now very low indeed, so get it while you can!…

Celtic in the Eighties by the late, great David Potter is out now on Celtic Star Books. Celtic in the Eighties is now available in the Celtic superstore and all other club shops. And don’t forget that you can still purchase your copy directly from Celticstarbooks.com for same day postage.

Order Celtic in the Eighties today, you’ll be glad you did, it’s a fabulous read!

OUT NOW! Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.

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