Kilmarnock

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Derek McInnes has made four changes from the midweek defeat to Cercle Brugge.

Having just sealed his loan move yesterday, Oliver Bainbridge goes straight into the starting XI in place of the suspended Robbie Deas.

Injured Joe Wright is replaced by David Watson. Rory McKenzie drops to the bench while Marley Watkins is out of the squad altogether. Liam Polworth and Fraser Murray are their replacements.

Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, McGregor, O'Riley, Hatate, Forrest, Kuhn, Kyogo

Substitutes: Sinisalo, Palma, Yang, Holm, Tomoki, Bernardo, Ralston, Welsh, M. Johnston

Kilmarnock: McCrorie, Watson, Mayo, Findlay, Bainbridge, Kennedy, Lyons, Polworth, Donnelly, Murray, Vassell.

Substitutes: O'Hara, McKenzie, Armstong, Mackay-Steven, Cameron, Anderson, Wales, E. Brown, Brannan.

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Celtic expect to be without Daizen Maeda for Sunday's league opener against Killie after he picked up a knock in their pre-season friendly against Chelsea.

Derek McInnes is suffering a defensive shortage as he looks to pick his team for Sunday.

Robbie Deas is suspended for the Premiership opener and Joe Wright is a doubt after going off injured against Cercle Brugge on Thursday.

Killie signed Corrie Ndaba from Ipswich earlier in the week after a successful loan spell last season but the full-back has a minor injury and is not expected to make it tomorrow.

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Kilmarnock have announced the loan signing of Sunderland defender Oliver Bainbridge until the end of the season.

The Englishman was a key member of Sunderland's Under-21s squad - managed by former Rangers boss Graeme Murty - throughout their Premier League 2 campaign last season.

The 19-year-old signed a contract until 2025 with the English Championship club last summer but is yet to make a senior appearance for the Black Cats.

Bainbridge is primarily a left-sided defender and will be available for selection for Sunday's away fixture versus Celtic.

Kilmarnock only had five recognised defenders in their senior squad before Bainbridge's arrival, with defender Joe Wright replaced at half-time in the loss to Cercle Bruges through the week.

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• Celtic have only lost on one of the 11 previous occasions that they have faced Kilmarnock on MD1 of a league season (W8 D2), a 2-3 defeat to start the 1961-62 campaign.

• Kilmarnock have only won one of their last 83 away games against Celtic in all competitions (D18 L64), a 2-0 victory in October 2012 under Kenny Shiels.

• Celtic have won their league opener in 15 of the last 16 seasons, losing the other 1-2 away to Hearts in 2021-22. When at home on MD1, the Hoops are unbeaten in 34 such games (W30 D4) since a 3-4 defeat to Morton in 1950-51.

• When starting a top-flight season away from home on MD1, Kilmarnock are winless in seven such games (D3 L4) since a 1-0 victory over Hibernian in 2004-05.

• Reigning Scottish champions have won on MD1 in each of the last 12 seasons, with the last to fail to do so being Rangers in 2011-12 (1-1 draw v Hearts).

We asked you Kilmarnock fans for your thoughts after Thursday night's disappointing defeat to Cercle Bruges.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Andrew: I thought Killie were poor against a fairly unimpressive Cercle Bruges. Definitely an opportunity missed as Killie looked good enough across both legs to progress. A lapse in concentration at the back has cost us.

Adam: A lacklustre and disappointing performance. Poor doesn’t cut it.

Anon: A disappointing performance from the boys, we were lucky not to concede a second. But we still have the Conference League and we’re playing an easier opponent this time.

David: Very disappointing, we just didn’t get going. Three hours of football and only a deflected header on target. That’s worrying.

Also a clear lack of pace up front albeit against a technically better team. Their defence was there for the taking but we didn’t penetrate down the wings.

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Kilmarnock's trip to Bruges 'will live long in the memory' despite the 1-0 defeat to Cercle Bruges knocking them out of Europa League qualifying.

Calum Scott, of the Forever and Ever podcast, told the Scottish Football Podcast he was very proud of the players, regardless of the result.

"It's a tough one but it's a day that will live long in the memory for the Kilmarnock’s support and you can see that with the reaction at the end, with the players and Derek McInnes the manager and the rest of the coaching staff coming over, really showing their appreciation to the travelling support who were unbelievable," Scott said.

"Throughout both ties, the Kilmarnock fans have been outstanding. Their reaction to going down a goal and just getting behind the team and everything has just been a great experience."

After a determined 1-1 draw in Ayrshire, Killie fans had gone to Belgium full of hope and were ultimately undone by a defensive mistake that allowed Cercle's Thibo Somers to score the only goal in the 1-0 win.

"We're just gutted because I feel in the first leg we should have come away with a win, and then we probably did enough to get a draw and unfortunately lost the game," Scott added.

"When you look at it that way, it's fine margins. But I'm very proud of the players, the management and the supporters because the supporters were an absolute credit to the club.

"Hopefully it's not long before we're back at this stage."

• Listen to the Scottish Football Podcast on BBC Sounds or by clicking here.

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes told BBC Scotland: "It was exactly what we thought it would be - tough, hard-fought. I don't think Big McCrorie hasn't had much to do apart from the penalty save.

"Just so annoyed we lost the goal we lost. One thing you can guarantee is that the ball will come into the box. They're not shy asking questions of you. We just needed to remain calm, a simple shout can deal with it.

"Their captain Somers is always in a goal scoring position, he always scores a lot of goals for them. It's all avoidable and that's why we're really annoyed.

"Were we ever going to dominate the game? Ever going to dominate possession? It was always going to be a big ask. We set up in a way to try and spring Marley [Watkins] and Vass [Vassell] as a front two.

"They played better in the second half. Marley looked off it first half, we contemplated taking him off at half-time but he responded to what I said to him.

"We were just hoping for that bit of individual work from your wide players that they do so often for us. The ball just fell to two or three of the wrong players. In terms of efforts and guts, and sticking at it on a really hot, humid night, it was a performance that the supporters would want from their team.

"We were just lacking a wee bit of quality and at this level, there's no shame in saying we're not quite there yet. But it was a tight game, similar to Rugby Park."

"The only surprise is the type of goal we lost. We're normally very good at defending the middle of our goal but it's cost us tonight. It's no fault of the players' effort."

Is that an opportunity missed, Kilmarnock fans?

What did you make of the performance out in Belgium? Did you travel to Bruges?

Let us know your thoughts here., external

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

It was a disappointing first-half showing from Kilmarnock, far from what they showed last week.

There was little composure on the ball - which led to little time on the ball - and little composure off it. The Cercle goal was entirely preventable and there were a few more chances that Kilmarnock offered up freely.

However, the hosts failed to properly punish Kilmarnock and there was a spell in the second half where it seemed the visitors would force a goal.

But there was no composure in the box, either. Findlay and Watkins both fluffed chances in the second half that should have rippled the net and when those chances were not converted, the hope diminished.

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Marley Watkins makes his return to the Kilmarnock line-up after re-signing at Rugby Park over the summer, as he partners Kyle Vassell up top.

Rory McKenzie is the other change to the Killie line-up, replacing young star David Watson in the midfield. Watson is named among the substitutes.

Matty Kennedy drops to the bench to make way for Watkins.

Cercle Bruges are unchanged from last week's 1-1 draw in Ayrshire, although they were battered 3-0 at the weekend by KV Westerlo.

Cercle Bruges: Warleson, Ravych, Utkus, Daland, Nazinho, Van der Bruggen, Francis, Ouattara, Somers, Olaigbe, Denkey.

Substitutes: Delanghe, De Bel, Popovic, Agyekum, Augusto, Minda, Miangue, Bayo, Goncalves, El Bahri, Lietaert, Kakou.

Kilmarnock: McCrorie, Mayo, Wright, Findlay, Deas, McKenzie, Donnelly, Lyons, Armstrong, Watkins, Vassell.

Substitutes: O'Hara, Kennedy, Watson, Mackay-Steven, Murray, Cameron, Anderson, Wales, Brown, Brannan, Leslie, Polworth.

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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BBC Sport Scotland have been taking a look at the players to keep an eye on in the new Premiership season.

Here's who to look out for at Rugby Park.

The return of loanee Will Dennis' steady hands to Bournemouth meant Kilmarnock were forced to find a new goalkeeper this season - and manager Derek McInnes turned to a 26-year-old who has had a long wait to be a number one.

Last week's Europa League first leg qualifier against Cercle Bruges was only Robby McCrorie's sixth first-team start since being loaned out to Livingston in 2020-21 and now, having left Rangers for an undisclosed fee, he has the chance to live up to the potential that led to a Scotland call-up.

Read Clive's full piece here.

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A Kilmarnock win against Cercle Bruges in the second leg of their Europa League qualifying tie would help lift a "hoodoo" from the club, according to Laurie Finlayson from The Killie View podcast.

In their last European campaign in 2019, Killie were knocked out by Welsh part-timers Connah's Quay Nomads following an embarrassing 2-0 defeat at Rugby Park.

This time around, Derek McInnes' side head to Belgium with the tie delicately poised following a 1-1 draw in the first leg, and Finlayson believes Killie can upset the odds and move a step closer to the competition's group stages.

"It would be massive for the club and massive for the town," Finlayson said on the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast.

"On the football side, kind of takes away that hoodoo from 2019 really, doesn't it? Where we were the butt of all jokes in Scottish football, losing to Connah’s Quay Nomads of the Welsh Premier League.

"Welsh Premier League to Belgian Premier League, there's no real comparison there.

"To get into what would be the third qualifying round of the Europa League would be incredible and even if we don't, it's not the end of the world because obviously we've got the Conference League to fall back on.

"Plus we've done ourselves proud against this quality of opposition so we're just happy to be here but it's not just that, we are competing as well and fingers crossed we can get it over the line tonight and possibly chase a trip to Scandinavia."

Andy Burke is joined by Stephen Craigan and Laurie Finlayson from The Killie View podcast to preview a pivotal night of European action for Kilmarnock and St Mirren.

Listen to the full episode of the Scottish Football Podcast here.

Derek McInnes believes his Kilmarnock side are ready to make memories for their fans against Cercle Bruges

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Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes says it is a "huge boost" to have Marley Watkins available for the second leg of their Europa League qualifier with Cercle Bruges.

The 33-year-old forward, who was the Ayrshire side's top scorer last season, missed last week's 1-1 draw at Rugby Park with a fitness issue.

McInnes says the Welshman is a player who "makes the team better".

“He was our top goalscorer last season, he was terrific for us," the Kilmarnock manager told BBC Scotland.

“We asked him to be a wee bit more selfish last season and contribute a wee bit more with the goals and he did that.

"Along with Kyle Vassell, they were a brilliant partnership and played a huge part in getting us to where we got to."

Despite going into the second leg level after causing Cercle problems last Thursday, McInnes feels his side still travel to Belgium as underdogs.

"We didn't need to win it last week but we didn't want to lose it," he adds.

"Most people will think Kilmarnock had their chance at home and they didn’t win. We know where we are, we are 90 minutes away from causing an upset."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland senior reporter

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes has been speaking to BBC Scotland prior to his side's Europa League qualifier second leg at Cercle Bruges.

Here are the key lines:

• McInnes confirms Marley Watkins is available for selection after missing the first leg last week.

• He says the return of the striker, who was Kilmarnock's top scorer last season, is a "huge boost".

• McInnes expressed his surprise at Cercle boss Miron Muslic's decision to change his team's shape in their league opener with Westerlo on Sunday, a match they lost 3-0.

• Despite that defeat, plus going into the second leg with the score at 1-1, McInnes believes the Belgian hosts are still "favourites" for the game.

• The Kilmarnock manager adds that his side are "90 minutes away from causing an upset".

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

The close season has been a rapid one but for Killie fans it's dragged on.

Normally we'd be planning on a wee day out at a League 2 ground for a low-key cup game but not this summer.

The passport is out along with the flip flops, bucket hat and a tourist leaflet about speaking basic Flemish.

The town is buzzing like it did for our 1997 Scottish Cup win as 3000 fans make travel arrangements for the 591-mile trip to Bruges before the second leg of Killie's clash with Cercle Bruges.

The manager has kept faith with last season's squad with just two new faces so far, and the first-leg performance and result gave us cause for optimism for the upcoming season.

I'd expect another few signings but the continuity from last season should stand us in good stead. I can see us going a long way in one of the cup competitions.

Anyway I'm off to pack my square sausage, I do love a traditional Belgian breakfast. I'll apologise for next week's article in advance as I'll have overdosed on strong lager, luxury chocolate and waffles in the days leading up to it.

Predicted league finish: Fourth.

Standout player will be: Kyle Vassell.

Game most looking forward to: On my way to it.

Sandy Armour is the editor of the Killie Hippo fanzine.