Stephen McGinn encourages Brendan Rodgers to debut a Celtic player for the first time in 2025 against Kilmarnock.

Stephen McGinn encourages Brendan Rodgers to debut a Celtic player for the first time in 2025 against Kilmarnock.

Celtic’s match against Kilmarnock on Saturday may still turn out to be a title celebration. The fact that Brendan Rodgers’ team commences play at lunchtime on Saturday, rather than following Rangers’ Sunday travel to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen,

is truly unfortunate. This is due to the fact that Celtic would secure their fifth title if they defeat Killie and Barry Ferguson’s Rangers lose to Aberdeen. Team MP W D L GD Pts 1 Celtic 32 25 3 4 71 78 2 Rangers 32 20 5 7 33 65 3 Hibernian 32 13 11 8 9 50 4 Aberdeen 32 14 7 11 -4 49 Regardless, the recent Premiership match, in which the champions-elect were defeated by the bottom club, St Johnstone, will be a source of frustration for all in Celtic Park.

Rodgers was not pleased with the outcome of that match, and he was right to be so. The issue was not so much the performance itself, but rather the excessive repetition of it in recent times. That is why it will be intriguing to observe the modifications that the Celtic manager implements for the Kilmarnock match, as Stephen McGinn is unequivocal regarding his preferences.

Brendan Rodgers is encouraged to start James Forrest and Paulo Bernardo against Kilmarnock. Consequently, McGinn is optimistic that James Forrest will receive his first start of 2025, following his recent return and the accumulation of minutes from the bench in recent weeks.

Forrest is currently in pursuit of his first goal of the campaign, which would result in him scoring in every season. McGinn, as he stated in an interview with Go Radio, would also maintain Daizen Maeda in the centre and Jota on the left. McGinn stated, “I believe Hatate was Celtic’s most effective midfielder against Kilmarnock.”

“In my opinion.” I was extremely fortunate not to score on the shot that deflected off the post. It is evident that Nicolas Kuhn will not be starting at the weekend, particularly in light of the fact that he was one of two players who were sent off at halftime in Perth.I believe that he is currently performing better than Arne Engels. In lieu of Engels, I would reinstate Bernardo for Saturday.

Bernardo would provide Brendan with the vitality and enthusiasm that he is seeking. He possesses an inherent enthusiasm for the sport. “I would exclude Kuhn.” I believe that Brendan Rodgers may substitute Idah for Kuhn, with Jota aligned on the right. I believe that is what he may do. “I would immediately reinstate James Forrest.” I would simply proceed to Forrest. I would maintain Maeda throughout the middle. Off to the left, I would proceed to Jota.

I believe that Jota would be more effective if he were positioned to the left. Adam Idah is a superior substitute when he is introduced. He appears to be more alert and revitalised. Auston Trusty was reinstated in the starting lineup against St Johnstone, despite Maik Nawrocki’s impressive performances. However, McGinn stated that he would immediately remove him.

McGinn stated that he would reinstate Liam Scales in the lineup, alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers, if the Irishman is healthy. “I believe Brendan Rodgers will immediately reinstate Liam Scales as a replacement for Trusty if he is available,” stated McGinn. “I believe that he has returned to the field, and I believe that his jaw sustained a severe injury.” I believed that Trusty was exceedingly negligent.