Murray Davidson is denied a swift Saints equaliser as Tomas Cerny keeps out the midfielder's angled strike.

Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

Hibs forward Martin Boyle has an age to judge a long, high ball over the Motherwell defence. However, as it falls in the box, he just fails to do enough to cushion the ball and Well goalkeeper Trevor Carson can mop up. In the visitors' next move Simon Murray sweeps past Cedric Kipre and pokes the ball in to the near post area where midfielder John McGinn's shot is deflected wide for a corner.

Tom Rogic curls a fine drive past the fingertips of Kilmarnock goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald, but it also drifts wide of the far post.

The visitors are pinned deep in their own half.

Celtic threaten early, with Leigh Griffiths heading just over the crossbar from seven yards following a fabulous cross from Kieran Tierney.

Whistles peep across the country. Hold on to your hats...

Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke on BBC Radio Scotland: "It is always better to start with the big games, to drop yourself in the deep end and see what you have on the pitch.

"For us, it is nothing to do with domestic unbeaten runs.

"We come here to get the point or three points and, if we play well, we might just do that.

"We have not had much time to prepare since the midweek exertions against Rangers, but we have tried to rest the players

"If we come away having given our fans a display to be proud of, that will be mission accomplished."

Clarke has given a start to Chris Burke after the former Scotland winger scored the equaliser against Rangers.

"I don't think it was so much the goal," he explained. "Adam Frizzell did well in midweek, but I just think that Chris experience can give us more today.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is concentrating on the win, not the history books

He tells BBC Scotland: "Michael Johnston is a really exciting talent. I love to promote young players. It's an opportunity for him today to show his quality.

"It really is about today. I always focus on the next game. It'll be a tough game, they will be compact and hard to break down.

"Scott Brown is absolutely fine. Sometimes I just take an opportunity to give him a breather.

"The three points is important and we want to build of the performance from Aberdeen. Normally when we perform well we win.

"I know Stevie Clarke well, he's a great guy and an outstanding coach and manager."

Celtic will be odds-on to avoid defeat at home to Kilmarnock and equal their own 100-year-old British record of 62 domestic games unbeaten.

But who were the team that ended that run by the side managed by Willie Maley on 21 April 1917 with a 2-0 win in Glasgow? Yes, you've guessed it, Kilmarnock (against whom the run also started).

However, for lightning to strike twice, they will not only need to inflict a first defeat on Celtic since Brendan Rodgers became manager but end the Glasgow side's run of 16 games without defeat - and six consecutive wins - against the Ayrshire outfit.

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Killie are, though, unbeaten since Lee McCulloch exited as manager - a win away to Partick Thistle while successor Steve Clarke was watching in the stands then a midweek draw with Rangers in the former Scotland defender's first official game in charge.

Chris Burke's stoppage-time equaliser led to the sacking of Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha.

What are the chances of Killie inflicting misery on both sides of the Old Firm in a matter of a few days?

Well, their last win over Celtic came in Glasgow (by 2-0) on 27 October 2012 - almost five years ago to the day.

Rangers caretaker manager Graeme Murty told Sky Sports: "Coming back from a wonder strike from Kyle Lafferty, they showed great belief in one another, continuing to play. I’m really proud and pleased for them

"It’s really easy to come into a job like this with good players who show that kind of character, not only to rise back up after the goal but be brave and get on the ball. Hearts were aggressive and pressed us really well but once we took control of the game we showed our class.

"It’s not that complicated, it’s just giving the boys some confidence. They’re the boys who have to go out and put in a shift, they approached it in the right manner,

"I’m pleased for him, he got us the win. It’s not about Kenny Miller, but you know what you get from him. He has those instincts you’ve got to get him in the team and let him play. When you have good players, it makes my job a lot easier.

"It’s just my chance to put the structure in place, the players have to step forward. They did that. We can raise that standard again. I won’t be content with that, they know that."

Hearts manager Craig Levein feels losing Jamie Walker was the turning point in their 3-1 loss to Rangers at Murrayfield.

Walker went off at 1-1.

"I'm disappointed to lose the match of course," he said.

"We were in it for a long period. They fought valiantly. It wasn't to be today.

"I don't think we're that far away. We need maybe two or three players.

"We've lost another player, one of our better players. It's difficult to try and put a safe and stable team on the field at the moment."

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has decided that Tuesday's Champions League tie against Bayern Munich is higher in his priorities than equalling the club record of 62 domestic games unbeaten.

The Northern Irishman has made six changes from the midweek win over Aberdeen.

Kristoffer Ajer comes into central defence against the side to whom the 19-year-old was on loan last season, with Eboue Kouassi given a rare start in midfield along with Olivier Ntcham and winger Patrick Roberts.

Leigh Griffiths is back up front and is partnered by Michael Johnston, the 18-year-old making his first-team debut.

Dedryck Boyata, Callum McGregor, Stuart Amstrong, Scott Sinclair and Moussa Dembele drop to the bench, while captain Scott Brown and winger James Forrest are rested.

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Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke makes two changes in his second game in charge.

Chris Burke is rewarded for his equaliser against his former club, Rangers, in midweek with a start on the wing, while Lee Erwin starts up front in place of Kris Boyd, who drops to the bench along with Adam Frizzell.

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