Celtic will play Kilmarnock in their opening Scottish Premiership match in 2024–25 on Sunday at Celtic Park to start their championship defense.
With 93 points from 38 games, the host team won the league the previous season, while the visitors finished fourth with 56 points and qualified for the Europa League.
The hosts were the champions of the Scottish Premiership once more. This season's victory was their third straight league success and their 54th top-flight championship overall.
During the 2023–24 league season, Celtic scored 95 goals and let up 30 goals, making them the top offensive and defensive club in the division.
The Bhoys also prevailed in the Scottish Cup 2023–24, defeating archrivals Rangers 1-0 in the championship match on May 25. Adam Idah's goal in the ninetieth minute sealed the victory.
It's interesting to note that manager Brendan Rodgers has made hints regarding his reservations over the team's caliber in comparison to previous year.
His remarks come at an odd moment given that his team has performed admirably in their preseason games, winning particularly well against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and Enzo Maresca's Chelsea.
On July 27, Celtic defeated Chelsea 4-1, which was especially noteworthy since, up until the 89th minute, Celtic was leading 4-0. Christopher Nkunku scored a consolation goal from a penalty kick.
Celtic has been playing quite well overall going into this game; they have won 13 of their past 16 ninety-minute games and have not lost since their March 3 loss to Hearts.
Celtic Park is home to an incredible record—they lost just one Premiership game the previous season, and they have only lost once in their previous 63 top-flight games played there.
They will enter the game with a lot of confidence because they have also won 15 of the previous 16 league openers.
Kilmarnock, the opposition, defeated Celtic 2-1 at home on December 10 to become one of just two clubs to defeat the league leaders.
Additionally, on February 17, they drew 1-1, and in their past five meetings, the visitors have only lost twice against the hosts.
Kilmarnock finished the previous season in the top division with the joint eighth-best offensive and joint fourth-best defensive records in the league, having scored 46 goals and given up 44 goals.
Killie must have been pleased with their performance in the 2023–24 campaign, since they outscored 2022–23 by sixteen points.
Since January 2022, while his side was competing in the Scottish Championship, manager Derek McInnes has held the position.
McInnes' team lost 2-1 on aggregate to Cercle Brugge earlier this summer, eliminating them from the 2024–25 Europa League qualifications.
It should be mentioned that Kilmarnock has a dismal road record, having only triumphed three times in their previous thirteen games.
While Paulo Bernardo works to regain his health after leaving Benfica, Celtic may not be able to sign him.
While he was seen in training prior to Sunday's game, Maik Nawrocki is remains questionable after missing the all of Celtic's US trip.
In other news, the hosts may be about to see signing Kasper Schmeichel make his first competitive start.
