Celtic vs Kilmarnock. Scottish Premiership.
Celtic ParkAttendance58,060.
Friday 27 October 2017 16:21, UK
Celtic could match their own record for the most domestic games unbeaten when they host Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.
The Hoops moved three points clear at the top of the table following their 3-0 midweek win over Aberdeen and stretched their run to 61 matches without defeat in domestic competition.
Should Celtic draw or win this weekend, they will match their own British unbeaten record of 62 games, which was set by Willie Maley's side between 13 November 1915 and 21 April 1917 - which ended when they lost 2-0 to Kilmarnock.
However, Brendan Rodgers is not putting any pressure on his side to match the record, saying: "I don't need to build any anticipation into the game because of the record or put any expectancy on the players because of it.
"It's something we have every game we play. If it happens, it's nice, but our focus is very much on how we play. When you play for Celtic there's an anticipation and expectancy in every game so you don't need to load it up with anything more."
Rodgers knows new Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke well, having joined the Chelsea youth system in 2004 after Clarke had stepped up to become Jose Mourinho's assistant at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking about their connections, Clarke said: "He has had a great career and it will be nice to catch up with him and hopefully we can have five minutes to have a chat about the old times.
"Celtic's record over the last few years speaks for itself. At this moment in time, they are probably on a different level to teams in Scotland. You have to be realistic about it.
"It is going to be a very difficult game for us and we have to go there with a little bit of confidence and ambition and try to make it as difficult an afternoon as possible for Celtic."
Celtic defender Anthony Ralston is expected to be out for four to six weeks in a bid to clear up a knee injury. He will have a scan with a view to a minor clear-up of a problem which has kept him out for the last seven games.
Defenders Jozo Simunovic and Erik Sviatchenko will also miss out as the duo are still working their way back from respective hamstring and knee injuries.
Clarke has no fresh injuries for the visit to Celtic Park and will select from the same squad that drew 1-1 against Rangers on Wednesday.
Iain Wilson (knee), Gary Dicker (stomach) and Greg Kiltie (ankle) and Steven Smith (back) remain out.
Celtic have lost none of their last 15 league games against Killie, scoring 42 goals in those games (W13 D2) and winning each of their last five in a row. They last suffered defeat back in October 2012 (2-0).
That win five years ago is Kilmarnock's only victory at Celtic Park in 30 attempts in the Scottish Premiership, losing 25 and drawing four of the other 29.
Celtic's victory at Aberdeen last time out stretched their unbeaten run to 49 games (W43 D6).
Killie have won just one of their previous 12 Scottish Premiership games (D4 L7), and have managed just one clean sheet across their last 14.
Celtic are yet to concede during the first 30 minutes of a game during this campaign - in fact, the earliest they have conceded was in the 39th minute against St. Johnstone, courtesy of Steven MacLean.
