Celtic v St Mirren - follow updates from Celtic Park (2024)

Celtic manager Brendan Rogers appears to be in a good place following last week's draw with Rangers as he speaks to BBC Scotland.

"We've been playing well, performing well, but it's just one game at a time," he says. "Good performance last week, good result, leaves everything in our hands."

Talking about his two enforced changes, Rodgers says Maik Nawrocki and Yang Hyun-jun were chosen to start as they have "looked good in training".

Asked about captain Callum McGregor starting a second game in a row on the bench, the manager adds: "He knows where he's at. He'd been out for a long time and he did fantastic to have some kind of availability for the Rangers game, but you can't after five weeks out expect to be at that level of fitness.

"He's certainly got an impact to play."

Kheredine Idessane

BBC Scotland at Celtic Park

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers doesn't want his players to "waste any time" now that the matches are starting to run out.

After losing just one of their last 59 top flight home games, Rodgers knows another win this afternoon puts his side four points clear at the top of the table, with three post-split fixtures at home to look forward to from the five which will remain.

It would also ratchet up the pressure on city rivals Rangers who wouldn't have much margin for error against Ross County in the Highlands tomorrow, were Celtic to claim all three points here.

St Johnstone have won seven of their last 10 league meetings with Kilmarnock, while the Ayrshire side have lost their last four in a row in Perth.

Saints, who mugged Hibs at Easter Road last week, haven't won back-to-back in the Premiership since October/November 2022.

Each of Killie's last four away days have been drawn.

This is a tough one to call since both teams really have to go for it.

With clean sheets about as frequent as a solar eclipse for either defence, 0-0 seems unlikely.

The past four league meetings have produced 16 goals.

Could we get something like the famous 6-6 draw back in 2010?

Hearts have enjoyed the comfortable surrounds of third place for a long time now.

The Tynecastle side are unbeaten in eight home league games, while bottom club Livingston arewinless in their last 14 Premiership road trips.

A win today would guarantee the Jambos can finish no lower than fourth.

If Livingston lose and St Johnstone beat Kilmarnock in Perth, David Martindale's men can do no better than 11th.

Fans of the West Lothian side would bite your hand off for a play-off right now, but that looks a tall order.

Brian McLauchlin

BBC Scotland at Tynecastle

The return of Lawrence Shankland after illness is no surprise but the return of Craig Gordon for his first league match since December 2022 when he suffered an horrific injury may raise a few eyebrows.

There is no doubting the ability and experience of the 41-year-old and, with the Euros squad being chosen by Steve Clarke next month, time was running out for the 74 time capped keeper to earn his place.

For Livingston, anything other than a win will surely mean it’s Championship football next season. David Martindale has never lost the belief they can make the great escape. But even Harry Houdini at his best would struggle with this predicament!

Again, pretty simple, but a couple of permutations.

Hibs have to get one more point than Dundee manage over their two matches.

A win for the visitors at Fir Park would leave the Dark Blues needing a victory against either Aberdeen or Rangers.

A draw at Fir Park leaves Hibs hoping Dundee pick up zilch.

This one is straightforward.

Motherwell must win today and hope Dundee take nothing from their two pre-split games.

A win today for the visitors will clinch a top six place, regardless of what happens elsewhere.

A draw is enough if Motherwell beat Hibs at Fir Park.

A defeat is not the end of the world but it would makes things tricky since Dundee's second bite at the cherry will be in their rearranged game at home to Rangers, which is scheduled for Wednesday.

Tyrone Smith

BBC Sport Scotland at Pittodrie

Both clubs have been making plenty of headlines this week.

As well as their public criticism of VAR, Aberdeen are alsoclosing in on Elfsborg’s Jimmy Thelin as their new boss.

Top-six hopes may be over but the Dons still have plentyto play for as they go in search of awin which would further ease any fears that they could get sucked right into the dreaded play-off.

It's a huge game for Dundee, who must put the row over the second postponement of their meeting with Rangers to one side.

A first win here since 2004 would secure a top six place.

St Johnstone boss Craig Levein names an unchanged XI following his side's victory over Hibernian.

Cammy MacPherson is named on the bench after recovering from injury, but there is no return for club captain Liam Gordon after he missed the Saints' win at Easter Road.

There is one change and a shift in formation for Kilmarnock as Derek McInnes brings in midfielder David Watson for defender Robbie Deas.

Brad Lyons returns to the bench for the visitors after a spell on the sidelines following a knee operation and could come on to make his first appearance of 2024.

Stuart Kettlewell makes two changes to the side that snatched a late 3-2 victory over Dundee last weekend. Adam Devine drops out of the squad while Andy Halliday is on the bench. Stephen O'Donnell comes back into the XI, Lennon Miller also makes his first start for the 'Well since 16 March.

Hibs also make a double change from their 2-1 home defeat by St Johnstone. Adam Le Fondre is left on the bench while Nectarios Triantis drops out of the squad. Elie Youan and Nathan Moriah-Welsh are both in from the start.

Caretaker manager Peter Leven makes two changes to his Aberdeen side - Duk returns to the starting XI for the first time since the start of March, while Stefan Gartenmann replaces Richard Jensen.

Despite returning to full training, Slobodan Rubezic is not fit enough for the matchday squad. Junior Hoilett drops to the bench.

Despite losing 3-2 to Motherwell last weekend, Tony Docherty makes no changes to the Dundee starting side. Curtis Main returns to the bench.

Tom English reveals on BBC Sportsound that Jimmy Thelin's appointment as Aberdeen manager could be announced next week.

The Swede is currently in charge of Elfsborg in his homeland.

Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon makes his first Premiership start since breaking his leg on Christmas Eve 2022.

Barrie McKay also comes in for just his second league start of the campaign as he continues his comeback from injury.

There are four other changes made by Steven Naismith from the win over St Mirren. Nathaniel Atkinson, Beni Baningime, Yutaro Oda and of course, Lawrence Shankland, also start.

It's just one change for a depleted Livingston after last week's goalless draw with Aberdeen.

Jason Holt comes into midfield as Steven Bradley drops to the bench.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has stuck with Tomoki Iwata in central midfield despite captain Callum McGregor's return from injury as a substitute in Sunday's 3-3 draw with title rivals Rangers.

But injury has forced two changes, with Maik Nawrocki replacing Liam Scales in central defence and Yang Hyun-jun on the wing instead of Daizen Maeda.

St Mirren also make two changes, with fit-again captain Mark O'Hara and Keanu Baccus in central midfield.

On-loan Kwon Hyeok-kyu is unable to face his parent club and striker Mikael Mandron drops to the bench as manager Stephen Robinson looks likely to play a more defensive formation.

Dundee United took a big step towards the title with a thumping win at Cappielow last night.

Raith Rovers, who host Partick Thistle, are now seven points behind the leaders.

Third-placed Thistle can clinch a play-off place if they win in Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline don't take maximum points away to Airdrieonians.

Arbroath will be relegated unless they win away at Ayr United and Inverness Caley Thistle lose at Queen's Park.

This spring has been blighted by heavy rain and high winds - much like every other Scottish spring.

We've got a mixture of both today across the country, although we've got some blue skies as well!

It's roll your sleeves up and get into them weather...

St Johnstone: Mitov, McGowan, Considine, Robinson, Keltjens, M Smith, Phillips, Kucheriavyi, Gallacher, Clark, Sidibeh.

Substitutes: Richards, MacPherson, May, Carey, Crawford, Kimpioka, Franczak, C Smith.

Kilmarnock: Dennis, Mayo, Wright, Findlay, Armstrong, Watson, Donnelly, Polworth, Kennedy, Watkins, Vassell.

Substitutes: O'Hara, Ndaba, Deas, McKenzie, Lyons, Balagizi, Stewart, Mackay-Steven, Van Veen.