Our Celtic predicted lineup against Kilmarnock begins with a quick turnaround. The Scottish Premiership leaders, on 28 points, meet Kilmarnock on Sunday, 8 November 2026, after a thrilling midweek 3-2 Europa League win over Beşiktaş that injected confidence into the squad.
That followed a 2-0 defeat at Falkirk and a 2-2 draw with Dundee United. Martin O’Neill led recovery protocols and tactical drills at Lennoxtown on Friday morning, aiming to hold the top spot before the two-week international break. Celtic are unbeaten in their last 22 home meetings with Kilmarnock at Celtic Park, though their defence has conceded in four straight league games.
Celtic Predicted Lineup Against Kilmarnock:
Goalkeeper and defence
Johnstone keeps goal, and the back four should match the one used against Beşiktaş. Alistair Johnston is sidelined with a hamstring injury until mid-November, so Lotomba continues at right-back. His recovery pace is important, since space opens quickly behind a full-back pushing high.
Kieran Tierney keeps the left-back berth, where his positioning and passing allow him to step inside and build play without abandoning the flank. Liam Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers form the centre-back pairing.
Carter-Vickers brings the aerial strength and recovery speed to handle direct balls and set pieces, while Scales offers a composed first pass and cover on the left when Tierney advances. Conceding in four straight league games suggests loose concentration in transition rather than a shortage of personnel, so O’Neill’s likeliest remedy is tighter organisation, not wholesale change.
Midfield
Baur and Callum McGregor should anchor the 4-2-3-1. McGregor sets Celtic’s tempo, choosing when to slow the game and when to release the front four, and that control matters after a European night. Baur is expected to do the harder running beside him, screening Scales and Carter-Vickers and stepping out to press when Kilmarnock counter.
If Kilmarnock defend with numbers, patience becomes the challenge; working the ball wide, recycling possession and resisting passes that invite breaks. Their positioning in front of the centre-backs is the clearest route to ending that conceding run.
Attack
Høgh should lead the line, with Tounekti on the left, Forrest on the right and Benjamin Nygren in the number ten role. Yang Hyun-jun is out with a hamstring problem until mid-November, which keeps James Forrest on the right, where his width and experience stretch the pitch for Nygren.
Tounekti offers a threat cutting inside, creating room for Tierney to overlap. Nygren links midfield to attack, and his movement will decide how many chances reach Høgh, whose runs in behind occupy the centre-backs.
Celtic scored three against Beşiktaş, and the attack remains lethal, with Camilo Durán among its key figures should O’Neill want to change the profile. Even so, the same front four looks safest before a break where three points would underline domestic dominance.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Johnstone; Lotomba, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney; Baur, McGregor; Forrest, Nygren, Tounekti; Høgh.
