Our prediction for this Scottish Premiership match:
After sharing the spoils with Rangers in the Old Firm derby, Celtic will look to retain top position in the standings when they take on Kilmarnock on Matchday 21. The Hoops are enjoying yet another season to remember, with the team leading the chase for their 53rd Premiership trophy. The league leaders are a real force to be reckoned with at home, and it is no wonder the bookies see them as hot favourites to win Saturday’s clash.
All Sead Haksabanovic, Tony Ralston, Stephen Welsh, and James McCarthy should miss out with injuries for the home side. The Killies, on the other hand, are the worst travellers in the league with only two points collected on the road, and, taking everything into account, we do not believe that they are capable of claiming a major scalp at Celtic Park. Kyle Lafferty is sidelined through suspension, while both Jeriel Dorsett and Innes Cameron are injured for the away team.
Highlighted Player (Joe Hart):
Joe Hart is an English goalkeeper who was born on 19 April, 1987. Following a three-year spell with Shrewsbury Town, Hart joined big-spending Manchester City in 2006. After ending his loan spell with with Birmingham City (2010), he returned to Man City and he has been playing for the Etihad Stadium outfit ever since.
Joe Hart earned his 63rd cap for England at the Euro 2016 finals, but he has yet to win a trophy at the major tournaments with the Three Lions. On the other hand, the 29-year-old goalkeeper has clinched two Premier League trophies with Manchester City (2011/2012, 2013/2014) and the FA Cup title in 2011.
Speaking of his individual honours, Joe Hart has won the Premier League Golden Glove award on four occasions (2010/2011, 2011/2012, 2012/2013, 2014/2015). Hart made his England debut against Trinidad & Tobago on 1 June, 2008. It has to be noted that he managed to keep a clean sheet on his debut for the English national team.
Highlighted Team (Kilmarnock):
Founded on January 5, 1869, Kilmarnock are the oldest professional club in Scotland. The Killie welcome their opponents at Rugby Park, the stadium with the artificial turf. The venue, which was opened back in August 1899, can hold up to 17,889 people.
Kilmarnock won their first and only Scotland Premier League trophy in the 1964/65 season despite being level on points with Hearts at the end of the season. Fellow Ayrshire club Ayr United are considered the Killie’s bitterest rivals. The two teams have been facing each other in the Ayrshire derby since September 1910.
Dark blue is the dominant colour of the club’s home kit, while Kilmarnock footballers wear yellow and blues kit when playing on the travels. The Killie recorded their biggest win back in 1896, with the team beating Saltcoats Victoria 13-2 in the second round of the Scottish Qualifying Cup. The club suffered their biggest defeat in August 1938 as they were hammered by Celtic 9-1 in the Scottish League Division.