“We have that feeling of beating Celtic,” Kilmarnock midfielder Brad Lyons

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The Celtic Star

·9 November 2024

“We have that feeling of beating Celtic,” Kilmarnock midfielder Brad Lyons

“We have that feeling of beating Celtic, why can’t we do it again on Sunday?” Brad Lyons…

Celtic celebrate winning the title at Rugby Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Kilmarnock optimism ahead of Celtic clash

Kilmarnock midfielder Brad Lyons is feeling bullish ahead of tomorrow’s Premiership encounter against Celtic at Rugby Park.

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The Scottish champions travel to Ayrshire having lost only match in all competitions so far this season. That defeat came at the Westfalenstadion against Borussia Dortmund at the beginning of October in a 7-1 trouncing.

However, since then, Celtic have remained unbeaten domestically, progressed to the Scottish League Cup final and have taken four points from Atalanta and RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

Auston Trusty celebrates at full time during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic are on a high

Form heading into Sunday afternoon’s clash with Kilmarnock could not be more at an all-time high. Last Saturday, the Hoops demolished their nearest domestic challengers. Fast forward three days later and Rodgers’ side showed real maturity versus German outfit RB Leipzig who currently sit second in the Bundesliga.

A different task lies ahead though for Celtic who have a shaky record at Rugby Park under current boss Brendan Rodgers. Despite the Hoops sealing their 54th league championship win in style at the home of Kilmarnock in May, Celtic were defeated twice at Rugby Park last season. The Irishman had found it a tricky place to go to over his two spells, and the anticipation is that tomorrow will be no different.

There is no Old Firm Brad – Rangers died

Kilmarnock midfielder Brad Lyons seems to be channelling the belief that his team have gone and won matches against Celtic before, and therefore should not be put off by the Hoops glittering form of late.

“We are not going into this game shying away from it. We know their quality, but we can give them a good go here. We are going to go in and back ourselves. It’s 11 players against 11 players out there. As I said before theRangers game, we beat both Old Firm (sic) teams out there last year so why can’t we do it this year?”

Adam Idah scores at Rugby Park as Celtic wrap up the title. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Killie ace confident that they can beat Celtic

“We have that feeling of beating Celtic, we have that confidence, we know we can do it, so why can’t we do it again on Sunday?

Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill called up versatile Brad Lyons for UEFA Nations League matches against Belarus and Luxembourg which will take place over the next fortnight. Lyons, who will be going head-to-head with Celtic skipper Callum McGregor tomorrow afternoon, was full of admiration for the Hoops captain.

“We know Callum MacGregor is a top quality player and I would say an even better pro because he’s doing it so consistently for so many years. We know when he’s playing at his best, Celtic are playing at their best. He makes them tick.”

Callum McGregor at Rugby Park as Celtic wrap up the title. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Null and void their better players

The 27 year-old added: “We’ll try and set game plans up, try and not get him as much involvement in the game. We need to try and null and void their better players or their ball players to try and not let them get into the rhythm.”

Kick off for tomorrow’s Scottish Premiership outing is 3:00pm. Sky Sports Football are hosting live coverage of the game. Hoops supporters outside Britain and Ireland can watch the match via Celtic TV.

Conor Spence