O’Neill To Make Changes? | Predicted 4-2-3-1 Celtic Lineup To Face Kilmarnock

O’Neill To Make Changes? | Predicted 4-2-3-1 Celtic Lineup To Face Kilmarnock After a narrow win against Dundee in the season opener, Celtic will travel to Rugby Park to clash heads with Kilmarnock on Sunday lunchtime. While they would look to improve their performance en route to defending the Premiership crown, the streak of grinding out results continues under Martin O’Neill after last season’s late revival. The Hoops have dominated this fixture over the years, including injury-time winners on both occasions in East Ayrshire during the 2025-26 campaign. Killie would aim to script an upset this weekend, particularly on a redeveloped pitch, as they transformed it from plastic to grass just in time for the Celtic game. Predicted 4-2-3-1 Celtic Lineup To Face Kilmarnock Defence It remains to be seen whether the Bhoys rope in a like-for-like replacement for the retired Kasper Schmeichel; however, Viljami Sinisalo continues to shine between the sticks since claiming the ‘number 1’ status at the back end of the previous season. GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 03: Benjamin Nygren of Celtic celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the William Hill Premiership 2026/27 match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on August 03, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) Despite interest from Everton, Alistair Johnston is expected to feature down the right unless a deal is struck with potential suitors. Kieran Tierney must be deployed from the left, with Colby Donovan and Anthony Ralston likely to deputise the fullback pair until new signings are secured. O’Neill should rely on Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty in the heart of the backline. Liam Scales and Dane Murray would be the understudies to the USMNT centre-half pair. Midfield Arne Engels, a key transfer target for West Ham United, is expected to operate from the deep alongside skipper Callum McGregor. Like Johnston, the Belgian midfield ace should exhibit professionalism regardless of his future beyond this month. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Reo Hatate could be involved from the bench to inject fresh legs in the centre of the pitch. Benjamin Nygren has been a revelation, as he netted the most game-winning goals in the league since his arrival last summer. The Swedish playmaker also secured three points against the Dee with his second-half strike last weekend, and his presence and poaching traits in and around the box would pose a menace to the Killie defence. Camilo Duran started in a wide right-wing berth to accommodate Kasper Høgh up top. The Colombian should keep his place on the same flank, with Yang Hyun-jun featuring from the other wing ahead of James Forrest and Sebastian Tounekti. Attack Høgh, who has been brought in on a club-record transfer from Bodø/Glimt, had little impact on his debut. But the Danish hitman must be handed a run of games to attune to the new surroundings. Callum Osmand might get introduced as a ‘super sub’ to spearhead the attack.