With Martin O’Neill recuperating after minor surgery, Shaun Maloney is the man in the dugout down Ayrshire way this afternoon, in the live SKY TV clash…
Martin O’Neill as expected will NOT be at the Kilmarnock v Celtic match at Rugby Park this afternoon but will instead by watching on television and may well have his mobile by his side if he has anything he wants to get across to the Celtic coaching staff led by Assistant Manager Shaun Maloney.
Shaun has just named his starting XI to face Kilmarnock on the recently relaid Rugby Park grass surface that was installed over the summer, replacing that synthetic excuse for a football pitch, much to the delight of players and supporters alike.
There’s no real surprises to the match day squad with the only absentees being the recently returned to light training Jota, and the suspended Liam Scales, who will be available after today’s game having served his two match ban.
Looking at the line up, it looks very much like Shaun Maloney in consultation with Martin O’Neill has gone for the tried and trusted 4-3-3, and an unchanged side from Monday night’s slender 1-0 win over Dundee.
Viljami Sinisalo will start in goal, behind a familiar back four of Alistair Johnston, Kieran Tierney, Cameron Carter Vickers, and Auston Trusty. In midfield, it’s skipper Callum McGregor, West Ham target Arne Engels, and last week’s match winner Benjamin Nygren.
Up front sees Yang starting on the left with record signing Kasper Hogh through the middle, and fellow new Bhoy Camilo Duran on the right hand side. Like many Celtic supporters I’d much rather see a Hogh and Duran striker partnership emerging as it looks to me that Duran is wasted playing wide on the right.
Maloney will have taking confidence after personally witnessing Kilmarnock disastrous defensive display at McDiarmid Park last Sunday, and will be hoping we can get better service to Kasper Hogh, much better than Monday evening against Dundee.
The big Danish striker was unlucky not to take one of his three chances but he’ll persevere and will get into the positions to threaten the Kilmarnock goal this afternoon. Today could be the chance for him to get his first goal for Celtic and in doing so open the floodgates for the season.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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