Celtic vs. Kilmarnock: Confirmed Starting XI and Analysis
With Celtic having advanced to the semi-final round of the Scottish League Cup in mid-week play, it is time to turn back to SPFL action with a visit from Kilmarnock to Celtic Park.
Celtic have announced their full lineup ahead of the match, and here it is:
???? Celtic line-up to face Kilmarnock. #SPFL (MN) pic.twitter.com/dRKG9uzInw
— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) September 24, 2016
Meanwhile, Killie have also given their Starting XI for the match at Paradise:
— Kilmarnock FC (@OfficialKillie) September 24, 2016
Analysis:
Clearly the goal is to ease Leigh Griffiths back in to action, as he starts the day on the bench. One has to believe the hope is that Celtic have salted the game away early enough and he can get a good 20 or 30-minute run out in the second half.
Of course, that means one of our questions in the pre-game is answered, as Moussa Dembele will get the start up front. Will he continue to put goals in? If he does, it certainly poses and interesting question for the manager to answer.
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As for the rest of the Celtic starting XI? One thing that jumps out at me is the apparent trust and confidence that Rodgers has in the now fully-fit Jozo Simunovic. It is his second-straight start and he will be pairing up this week with Eric Sviatchenko in the middle of defense.
Let’s see how that pairing works out after Simunovic showed so well against Alloa in the League Cup start on Wednesday.
It also appears that Patrick Roberts has lost a little bit, and Rodgers prefers Tom Rogic over him at the moment. Roberts may be better suited as a spark off the bench at the moment, until he can become stronger on the ball with challenges on him.
Other than that, it seems to be business as usual for the Bhoys ahead of the clash with Killie this afternoon at Paradise.
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