Celtic aims to extend their lead in the Scottish Premiership by three points as they face Kilmarnock this Saturday.
Kilmarnock risks dropping to fourth place if they don't secure a win against Celtic, potentially allowing St Mirren to move ahead in the standings.
Despite an impressive run of 19 points out of a possible 21 since their victory over Livingston on December 23, Celtic found themselves tied on points with their rivals Rangers at the top of the table after Rangers defeated Ross County 3-1 at Ibrox.
The top spot in the league is currently determined by goal difference alone, setting the stage for crucial encounters between Celtic and Rangers in their remaining fixtures. Their upcoming clashes, scheduled for April 6 at Ibrox and a later game post-league split, could significantly influence the title race.
Before these pivotal matches, Celtic faces six league games and a Scottish Cup quarter-final against Livingston, following their victory over St Mirren last weekend. Unlike Rangers, who continue in the Europa League after topping their group, Brendan Rodgers's team no longer participates in European competitions after finishing at the bottom of their Champions League group.
Rodgers and his team view their absence from European competition as a potential advantage in their pursuit of the Scottish Premiership title. Securing maximum points against Kilmarnock on Saturday is crucial, as it would not only maintain their lead but also increase pressure on Rangers, who play against St Johnstone on Sunday.
Kilmarnock finds themselves back among the frontrunners in the Scottish Premiership, a position they believe reflects their rightful place after enduring challenging seasons. After being relegated in the 2020-21 season, they swiftly reclaimed their position as champions and narrowly avoided relegation last season, finishing in 10th place.
Now, they are vying for a spot in European competitions, currently holding fourth place with 36 points from 25 matches. They maintain a comfortable seven-point lead over sixth-placed Dundee but face a 12-point gap behind third-placed Hearts. Kilmarnock seems to be in a battle with St Mirren for the coveted fourth spot based on their recent form.
In addition to their league pursuits, Derek McInnes's team has their sights set on securing the club's fourth Scottish Cup triumph. Their recent 2-0 victory over Cove Rangers propelled them into the quarter-finals, with goals from Marley Watkins and Danny Armstrong sealing the win. They now await a potentially favorable away fixture against Aberdeen in early March.
Despite facing a formidable opponent in Celtic on Saturday, Kilmarnock has already proven their ability to challenge the top sides this season, having defeated Celtic 2-1 in December. McInnes and his players will be eager to replicate that success and disrupt Celtic's plans once again.
Celtic will have to manage without Adam Montgomery for the remainder of the season, as he grapples with a serious hamstring injury. Additionally, Reo Hatate, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Greg Taylor, and James McCarthy are all sidelined with muscle injuries, with their return expected in a few weeks.
Kyogo Furuhashi, who recently returned to the starting lineup and scored against St Mirren in the cup, is anticipated to maintain his position alongside Adam Idah. Manager Rodgers is unlikely to make many alterations to the lineup following their recent victory.
Kilmarnock continues to miss Robbie Deas due to a broken cheekbone, while Kyle Magennis faces a race against time to recover from a hamstring injury before the end of February.
Manager McInnes opted for six changes in their recent matches against Livingston and Cove Rangers, and he is expected to revert to the lineup that secured a narrow victory against Livingston last Wednesday.
