Celtic travel to Kilmarnock tomorrow just three days after the triumphant victory over Spartak Moscow, knowing that a win would keep us top to the table. However, Celtic must try and overcome the problems which have dogged us in almost every league game played after European games – the dropping of points. Celtic’s record after European games this season reads played 8, won 4, drawn 2 and lost 2. Understandable to an extent that points have been dropped after very tough European games, but the record could still be improved.
But tomorrow will be a very tough game against Kilmarnock, who deservedly beat us 2-0 at Parkhead earlier this season and managed by the ‘eccentric’ Kenny Shiels, who has threatened to play Killie captain Manu Pascali even though he is suspended.
Tomorrow’s team will likely have a couple of changes from the team that faced Spartak, with both Lustig and Commons struggling with injury. It wouldn’t surprise me if Scott Brown was rested due to his ongoing hip injury. Adam Matthews and Joe Ledley will probably come back into the starting line-up, and it would be good to see Lassad given a start as well. The suspended on Wednesday Victor Wanyama will undoubtedly start as well.
Tomorrow is the start of almost two months with only domestic games to concentrate on, and let’s hope Celtic begin to put together a good run of domestic results in what will undeniably be a tough game.
My team for tomorrow: Forster, Izaguirre, Wilson, Ambrose, Matthews, Mulgrew, Ledley, Wanyama, Samaras, Hooper, Lassad.
Prediction – Kilmarnock 1 Celtic 3