A trip to Kilmarnock is never easy, is it? Celtic required last-gasp winners both times they visited Rugby Park last season. Kelechi Ịheanachọ's 96th minute penalty, on debut, in September snatched the points that day. Fast forward to February, the Hoops fought back from 2-0 down to prevail 3-2, with Julián Araujo this time lashing home in the 97th minute.
Neither the Nigerian nor the Mexican are still at the club, but this is to underline that, if the Hoops are going to leave Ayrshire with all three points, they are going to made to work hard for it.
Kilmarnock vs Celtic match info
- Date: Sunday 9 August 2026.
- Kick off times: 1:30pm (local).
- Competition: Scottish Premiership
- Venue: Rugby Park - Ayrshire.
- How to watch: Sky Sports (UK) and Paramount+ (USA).
How can I watch Kilmarnock vs Celtic?
This match is being broadcast on Sky Sports Ultra HD, Main Event and Football in the UK.
Around the world, this game is also available on Paramount+ in the United States, beIN SPORTS 3 in Australia, ESPN in Africa and Celtic Player to international subscribers.
Kilmarnock vs Celtic match preview
Celtic did make a winning start to their Scottish Premiership title defence on Monday night, but it was not particularly inspiring was it? The Champions had 18 shots and racked up an xG of 2.25 against Dundee at Parkhead, but only managed to score one goal; Kieran Tierney's cross headed home by Benjamin Nygren shortly after half time. The Dark Blues never really looked like equalising, but the one goal margin led to a nervy night in Glasgow's East End. Three points though is all that matters.
For now, the Celts are being eased into the new season, but massive games are on the horizon. Next weekend, they will travel to Dundee United in the League Cup, one of the toughest draws they could have been handed, before the big one, facing LASK over two legs for a place in the Champions League. Thus, supporters and coaching staff alike are hoping for an improved performance.
As for Kilmarnock, their opening weekend fixture may have looked, on paper, like the least appetising of the six, but it turned out to be an early front-runner for game of the season. Neil McCann's team were beaten 4-3 by St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, falling behind twice, then leading 3-2 at one stage. A Michael Schjønning-Larsen own goal got the Saints back on level terms, before the home side snatched victory ten minutes from time.
Manager McCann was fuming at full time, suggesting seven-goal thrillers are not what we should expect from his team every week. Killie were in genuine relegation danger when McCann took over in January, but eventually finished six points clear of danger, concluding the campaign with four straight victories. This game will also be the first played at Rugby Park since they ripped up the plastic pitch and introduced grass, with the travelling Celtic support hoping Killie will be played off the park.
Kilmarncock team news
Robbie Deas can return, having been suspended last weekend, so could come back into midfield. January signing Nicky Cleșcenco, a Dublin-born Moldovan international, will start on the left wing while, in a potentially major blow, Tyreece John-Jules might miss out. He scored the last time Celtic visited Rugby Park in February, but hobbled off in Perth last Sunday, so is a doubt.
Celtic team news
First thing to note is that Martin O'Neill has been in hospital this week to undergo a "small procedure". He missed training, but has now been discharged, albeit it remains to be seen if the 74 year old will be in the dugout, or if he'll leave matchday duties to assistants Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham.
Whoever is in charge faces a tough choice at centre-back. Alongside fit again Cameron Carter-Vickers, fellow USMNT international Auston Trusty started on Monday, but Liam Scales can now return, having sat out the Dundee game due to yellow card accumulation last season. Will the Irishman come straight back in?
Elsewhere, despite strong interest from south of the border, Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels are expected to start once again. In attack, both new strikers were in the XI on Flag Day. Camilo Durán looked lively out-wide, while Kasper Høgh admitted he needed more shooting practice, after failing to convert any of his four chances. Lastly, having now not featured for 470 days, Jota is back in full training, and fans can't wait to see him back, albeit this game will come too soon.
Predicted Line-ups
- Kilmarnock predicted lineup: Stryjek; Ring, Stanger, Brown, Schjønning-Larsen; Dees, Tshibola, Lowery, Kiltie, Cleșcenco; Hugill.
- Celtic predicted lineup: Sinisalo; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Tierney: McGregor, Engels, Nygren; Durán, Yang Hyun-jun, Høgh.
- Score prediction: Kilmarnock 1-3 Celtic.
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