Ange Postecoglou has named his Celtic starting side to face Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
The Hoops arrive in Ayrshire on a major high after victory over Rangers last weekend extended their advantage at the top and edged them one step closer to back to back Premiership titles. Kyogo Furuhashi grabbed a double on the day with Jota capitalising on an error from John Souttar to round Allan McGregor and net in a five-goal thriller at Parkhead.
Focus now turns to Derek McInnes' relegation battlers who will have eyes on a big result after dropping into the relegation play-off spot yesterday following Dundee United's massive comeback win at Fir Park against Motherwell. Both clubs want all three points for completely different reasons and that should make for an entertaining lunchtime encounter in front of the TV cameras. Michael Beale and his troops won yesterday meaning a victory would reinstate the 12 point lead at the top.
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Speaking ahead of this one, Postecoglou said: “Looking beyond that [Kilmarnock game] has no purpose for whatever reason, whether that’s because we can see the finish line close or because there’s another competition,” he said.
“It all becomes irrelevant because we know if we’re not totally focused this weekend, we won’t be able to get the job done, and that’s been the key to our success so far and why we’ve been consistent for so long.
“Everyone has embraced the fact that our greatest challenge is the one that’s next and that’s Sunday.”
Celtic XI: Hart, Johnston, Kobayashi, Starfelt, Taylor, McGregor, Iwata, O'Riley, Maeda, Haksabanovic, Kyogo
Subs: Bain, Mooy, Turnbull, Oh, Bernabei, Summers, Ralston, Welsh, Vata
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