Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock were dismantled by Celtic as they emphatically sealed a 12th Scottish Premiership title in 13 seasons at Rugby Park.

First-half goals from Adam Idah, Daizen Maeda and James Forrest sent Celtic into the break three up before Matt O'Riley added a double after the interval.

Derek McInnes' side, already guaranteed fourth spot, were denied a Danny Armstrong consolation at four down, with Marley Watkins judged to be offside by the VAR in the build-up.

This result will not define a stellar season for Kilmarnock, who have caused problems for both Old Firm clubs this term, but they were simply blown away by a Celtic side determined to win a 54th top-flight crown in style.

Were you at Rugby Park or following the match elsewhere? Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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"For those who I need to convince, I will see you here in May" was the message from Brendan Rodgers to a polarised Celtic support on the day of his unveiling last June.

A year later, those who needed convincing have been won over and the decision from the board to bring him back for a second spell has been vindicated.

Even by Rodgers’ own admission, it has been far from vintage from a Celtic side who have made life difficult for themselves at times, but they have clicked into gear at a crucial period while their city rivals have faltered.

For Kilmarnock, it is a night to forget but a season to remember.

The dread of some in the away end travelling to Ayrshire on Wednesday pays testament to the work of Derek McInnes and his players, who have Europe to look forward to next term after proving they are comfortably Scotland’s fourth-best side.

Brendan Rodgers makes one change to the Celtic side that started Saturday's Old Firm win and it's a notable one.

Kyogo Furuhashi drops to the bench and is replaced by Adam Idah up top.

It's also just one switch for Kilmarnock following the weekend win at St Mirren.

It comes in goal as Will Dennis is dropped for Kieran O'Hara, who plays his first game since January.

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• Kilmarnock have only lost one of their four meetings with Celtic in all competitions this season (W2 D1). Kilmarnock could win three times in a single campaign against Celtic for the first time, while the last club to do so against the Hoops were Rangers in 2020-21 (four).

• Celtic have lost both of their last two visits to Kilmarnock in all competitions, last losing three in a row away to Killie in October 1964.

• Including the curtailed 2019-20 season, Kilmarnock are unbeaten in their final home game in each of their last five Scottish Premiership seasons (W3 D2) since a 1-2 defeat to Ross County in 2016-17.

• Celtic haven’t won their final away league game (incl. curtailed 2019-20 season) in any of their last five seasons (D3 L2) since a 3-1 win at Hearts in 2017-18.

• Since the turn of the millennium, the only managers to win more matches against Celtic in all competitions than Kilmarnock’s Derek McInnes (eight) are Walter Smith (10) and Alex McLeish (nine).

Rugby Park will be where most eyes will be glued on Wednesday given Celtic could seal a 54th Scottish title.

Rangers almost gifted the title to Celtic against Dundee but their fightback means Brendan Rodgers' side has the chance to haul themselves over the line in Ayrshire.

A point is all Celtic need, but had Rangers got at least a draw in Saturday's Old Firm derby, Rodgers would have been heading to Rugby Park with some degree of trepidation.

Kilmarnock have already beaten his side twice this season there - indeed, they have only lost one of their four meetings overall.

Derek McInnes' fourth-placed team have only lost once - to Rangers - in their last seven outings and have been beaten just once in 12 on their own patch, again by the Ibrox side.

However, following Saturday's 2-1 derby win, Celtic are themselves unbeaten in nine in an impressive run-in during which they have overturned their city rivals' lead at the top.

If Celtic are to be prevented from partying back up the M77, Kilmarnock will have to beat them three times in one season for the first time in their history - and be the first to do so since Rangers in 2021.

Read the rest of the midweek Premiership picks here.

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Kilmarnock defender Joe Wright is free from suspension while James Balagizi returns from a knee issue. Midfielders Brad Lyons (knee) and Kyle Magennis (hamstring) are out for the season.

Celtic defender Alistair Johnston has shaken off the ankle knock he received from Rangers midfielder John Lundstram while Yang Hyun-jun is available after a foot problem.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes is confident of "good news" regarding Danny Armstrong's future as he looks to secure the standout winger on a new deal.

Armstrong, 26, has been instrumental in helping the Ayrshire side secure fourth in the Premiership with a couple of games to spare and is in talks over extending his contract, which expires next May.

“We have been speaking. Hopefully there is some good news on that soon," said McInnes.

"We’d like Danny to stay and Danny has indicated he’d love to stay. He’s playing the best football of his career here, Kilmarnock has been really good for Danny and Danny has been brilliant for us.

"Hopefully there’s a deal there to be done. We’ve had loads of conversations with a lot of players behind the scenes about extending and signing. And [we are] speaking to others from outwith to try and get them in the door as well for pre-season, so these conversations are ongoing.”

Asked about the higher level to which Armstrong has risen across the course of the season, McInnes joked: “Until he signs his contract, he’s done alright.

"He has done well. His numbers, his assists. I love the fact Danny just wants the ball all the time. Even when he’s going through a tough phase in a game, he never hides, never shirks his responsibility.

"I think he’s done better without the ball, there’s more trust in what we’re asking of him. He’s a pleasure to be about every day, as they all are."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Derek McInnes has been speaking to the media as Kilmarnock prepare to host Celtic on Wednesday night.

Here are the key points from the Rugby Park boss:

• McInnes wants his team to "finish the season right" in the final home fixture against a Celtic side on the brink of the title.

• Kilmarnock will need to "do so much right" and McInnes accepts facing "a fully motivated Celtic is difficult" but urged his players to rise to the same levels that have earned them two wins and a draw from four meetings with the champions this season.

• He adds: "Nobody wants us just to fulfil a fixture". The match is "a big deal, a big game" live on TV and Killie aim to show "we’re a good side".

• This term has been "as enjoyable a season as I’ve had as a manager". He wants the side to move forward from the platform they’ve built and be credible in Europe, in the cups and also in the league again next season.

• There have been "positive talks" with winger Danny Armstrong about extending his contract, which is now into its final year.

• Team news: Kyle Magennis and Brad Lyons are still out but Joe Wright returns from suspension after being sent off at Ibrox while James Balagizi is back in the squad after tweaking his knee.

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

There are some Saturday mornings when you wake up, the sun is splitting the skies and you get a good feeling for the upcoming away day.

Last Saturday was exactly that as a magnificent Killie travelling support witnessed the official European qualification in the sizzling Paisley sunshine.

Killie were their usual solid self and from early on I got the impression that we had the game in the bag.

St Mirren had a few chances but in general our backline was outstanding and the increasingly confident Will Dennis was in good form on the few occasions our defence was breached.

The scenes at the end were memorable as management, players and fans came together as one in celebrating a tremendous achievement.

We have our final two games this week starting with Celtic in our last home match followed by the finale at Dens Park.

Let's ensure a big Killie support at Rugby Park on Wednesday night to show our appreciation for the huge progress made by the team this campaign.

Sandy Armur is editor of the Killie Hippo fanzine

Killie have come out on top in both matches against Celtic at Rugby Park this season, can they do the same again on Wednesday night?

After Saturday's 1-0 victory over St Mirren, what changes, if any, should Derek McInnes make to his starting line-up?

Put yourself in the manager's shoes and pick your XI here.

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Derek McInnes has built a Kilmarnock team that can challenge for Europe "every season", says former Hibs and St Mirren boss Alan Stubbs.

The Ayrshire side wrapped up fourth place and a Europa League second qualifying spot with victory over St Mirren on Saturday.

Stubbs believes McInnes' clear instructions to his Killie players have set the foundations to build on a successful campaign.

"He's done a brilliant job, I think everybody will be right in saying how good of a job he's done there," the ex-Celtic defender told BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Derek's a very experienced manager and he's been at some big clubs, he's done a really good job obviously at Aberdeen and was there for a number of years.

"They're steadily becoming a team that looks like they're going to be challenging for a European spot now every season.

"You look at the results and all of the performances, they've shown up against the Old Firm this season and they've given them a real fight at times - obviously they've won.

"He knows exactly what he wants from his players. The players are very clear in how they have to play under Derek.

"It's been a great season for Kilmarnock and they've topped off with the European football next season."

It was an assist rather than a goal for Marley Watkins in Kilmarnock's Europa League-clinching win at St Mirren on Saturday.

But the Welshman was a constant threat for Derek McInnes' side, doing his utmost to pester the Paisley outfit's backline.

Just how important has Watkins been for Kilmarnock this season? And just how important will he will be next term if the striker is to pen a new deal?

Watch highlights as Kilmarnock beat St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership.

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Kilmarnock captain Kyle Vassell credited manager Derek McInnes for overseeing a shift in mentality at Rugby Park after Saturday's win over St Mirren earned them a spot in the Europa League second qualifying round.

Killie finished 10th last season in their first season back in the top flight, but clever recruitment and a a never-say-die attitude has seen them make remarkable progress.

"Credit to the gaffer," Vassell said. "He’s changed the mentality in the building.

"No disrespect to the boys here before, but the boys here just want to win and leave everything on the pitch every single game.

"That's got us where we are. We're so together. The games, some of them have been really ugly, but we’ve just got a winning mentality now."

"I love winning more than anything. I don't care how we win, I just want to win. So it's been brilliant."

Vassell led the celebrations in Paisley, and he was keen to pay tribute to the club's supporters.

"It's not sunk in just yet, but we've been fighting so long for this and St Mirren have run us the whole way, so to seal that here is even more special," he added.

"[The fans] have been there all season, but this time last year we came here and were fighting to stay in the league.

"They were magnificent that day, we got the win and and I hope that they can enjoy it just as much as we do because we're ecstatic."

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• Kilmarnock have kept a clean sheet in 14 of their 36 games, only Rangers (18) and Hearts (16) have done this more often in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Toyosi Olusanya attempted five shots in this game, the joint-highest total for a St Mirren player in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Kyle Vassell has scored nine goals this season (one in this game), no Kilmarnock player has more in the Scottish Premiership.

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Kilmarnock teenager David Watson has been named young player of the year by the Scottish Football Writers’ Association.

The 19-year-old midfielder topped the vote ahead of Aberdeen’s Connor Barron, Lyall Cameron of Dundee and Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller.

The award comes just a week after he was named young player of the year at the PFA Scotland awards.

Watson has been a key part of Derek McInnes’ side this season, weighing in with five goals and three assists across all competitions.

His efforts landed him a new contract until 2026 earlier this season, and now have been recognised by Scottish football journalists.

“Winning an award as prestigious as this is an honour, it adds to my PFA award which also means a lot to me," he said.

“The football writers are the ones who watch us every week so it means a lot to me that they’re nominating me to win this, I appreciate it."

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Kilmarnock's Scottish Football Writers Association young player of the year David Watson says the standard of nominations for this year’s award shows the strength of the country’s football academies. (Scotland on Sunday, external)

Read the rest of today's gossip here

Derek McInnes has high praise for Kilmarnock's attacking quartet - wingers Danny Armstrong and Matty Kennedy, and strikers Marley Watkins and Kyle Vassell - as his team seal Europa League football with victory over St Mirren.

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes is asked by BBC Radio Scotland how he feels after securing Europa League football.

"It’s magic hearing that," is how the Rugby Park supremo responds. "It’s something we never started out to do, but for the last few weeks, something we’ve been searching for.

"To do it with another clean sheet, it was important we had another big hurrah in us and we were good enough in difficult circumstances."

McInnes also highlights the impact of his front four, wingers Danny Armstrong and Matty Kennedy, and strikers Kyle Vassell and Marley Watkins. Captain Vassell netted the decisive goal today.

"It’s quite fitting my captain scores the goal that gets us to Europe," McInnes adds.

"As a front two, those have been terrific, the combination between the two of them. I play with two wingers and two strikers, not because they’re luxury players, it’s because they’re responsible and work as hard as anybody else, and I know they are capable with big moments."

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Kilmarnock fans, how are you feeling after Europa League football was sealed? How impressed have you been with Derek McInnes this season?

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