Celtic take on Kilmarnock on Saturday afternoon, as the champions look to continue their winning run of late in all competitions.

Brendan Rodgers' side have entered the business end of the season, and with both his side and Rangers on the same amount of points, there is no more margins for error in the Scottish Premiership. Last time out, they defeated St Mirren 2-0 in the Scottish Cup in Paisley, following on from a last-gasp 2-1 win at Easter Road against Hibernian.

READ MORE: Celtic questions answered: Has the board backed Rodgers?

They face an in-form Kilmarnock side, led by former Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes, who currently sit fourth in the Premiership league table. They defeated Cove Rangers 2-0 in their last game - also in the Scottish Cup - whilst their last league result was a 1-0 win against Livingston.

With all of that being said, what will be the team that Rodgers elects to go for on Saturday afternoon? The Celtic Way's Ryan McGinlay and Tony Haggerty have their say...

Ryan McGinlay

If they weren't beforehand, Celtic are now firmly in the business end of the season. A quick look at the league table tells you that.

With no margins for any errors from here on in, the team must treat every single game like a cup final from now until the Scottish Cup final (if they get there). With the way the goal difference is at the moment, Celtic have to be winning games more convincingly against their opponents, as the gap between themselves and Rangers has completely diminished in every sense of the word. With this in mind, Celtic will name the strongest team possible, against an opponent that has given the team plenty of problems in their three meetings thus far this season. 

In goal, Joe Hart will continue, after yet another great performance in goal for the club against St Mirren last Sunday. Although he may have a quieter afternoon this weekend, he will have to stay sharp and alert to any chances or danger that come his way. Defensively, there will be a return to the left-back position for Greg Taylor, who has been sidelined for the past couple of weeks due to injury. Though his replacement Alexandro Bernabei has performed okay, it is time to bring the first-choice defender back into the fold against his former team. With Alistair Johnston still sidelined due to a head injury, Anthony Ralston will continue to deputise in his place. In the middle of the defence, Liam Scales will be partnered by Stephen Welsh, as the centre-back duo will remain the same as last time out. Although unfortunate to miss out again from the start, Nawrocki will be waiting in the wings for his next opportunity to stake his claim.

READ MORE: Celtic's Alexandro Bernabei's performances analysed

If Celtic are to go with their usual 4-3-3, then Callum McGregor will occupy his usual spot in the number six position. Playing deeper due to personnel changes, Matt O'Riley will play in the middle of the park, whilst Kyogo Furuhashi will be deployed as the attacking midfielder, playing the furthest forward. This new position - at least against St Mirren - looks like it gets the Japan forward more involved in matches, with the opposition having to mark him deeper as a result. A return to form for O'Riley would be ideal also, as the Denmark cap has been ever so slightly off form since he returned from the winter break. If he plays well, then Celtic will win games as a result.

In the forward areas, Adam Idah will continue to lead the line for the club, supported by Luis Palma on the left and Daizen Maeda on the right. Idah - supported by Kyogo just behind him - will act as a focal point for his wingers and midfielders to hit, whilst Palma and Maeda will look to make things happen from either flank. After a good performance in Paisley - minus the dive - Palma will be hoping to get back on the scoresheet, as the winger has not contributed a goal since the Buckie Thistle game last month. Maeda will be looking to stretch the defence with his tiring runs, as well as display his goalscoring prowess like he did last weekend in the Scottish Cup.

A tough game against a good side, but Celtic will win this comfortably and put the pressure firmly back on Rangers.

Ryan's team: Hart; Ralston, Welsh, Scales, Taylor; McGregor, O'Riley; Maeda, Kyogo, Palma; Idah

Tony Haggerty

There wasn't a lot wrong with Celtic's set-up and approach last week as they defeated St Mirren 2-0 in the Scottish Cup last 16 clash in Paisley.

That being the case continuity of sorts will be the name of the game as they entertain Kilmarnock in what is going to be a titanic struggle for this season's Scottish Premiership title. The flag race is going all the way down to the wire as both Celtic and Rangers go toe-to-toe in a weekly slugfest.

Celtic don't need any advanced warnings about today's opponents as the Ayrshire side have already claimed Rodgers's side scalp on two separate occasions during the campaign. Both defeats still rankle the champions and quite rightly, too. There is a feeling that Celtic owes Kilmarnock and this would be the ideal time for everything to click into gear for the Northern Irishman and his troops. A statement win would be more than welcome with Celtic level on points and goals with Rangers.

Hart will be in goals once again and it will be a rejigged back four of Ralston at right-back, Scales and Welsh as the central defensive pairing but the men in green and white will witness the return of Scotland international Taylor for Bernabei at left-back.

McGregor and O'Riley are the definite starter players in the midfield and the Danish internationalist will be hoping to recapture his form which has fizzled out in recent weeks. What is that they say form is temporary... and all that. One thing is for certain and that is O'Riley's class is permanent and he will be vital to Celtic's title push over the coming weeks.

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On either flank, Palma will start on the left after providing another cracking assist from the wide position. The starting nod will also go to last weekend's goalscorer Maeda who will start on the right. However, it is worth noting that Yang made a stellar contribution when he took to the field and he will be giving his manager some much-needed food for thought.

Kyogo - who bagged his 12th strike of the season - will fill the space between him and the main striker Idah. The Japanese talisman performed the No.10 or the false nine role to great effect last week in Paisley and when he was presented with an opportunity the clinical marksman showed that he had not lost any of his predatory instinct. On-loan Norwich attacker Idah will be hoping that he can get off the mark from open play in front of the home supporters.

Something clicked with Rodgers's team against the Saints - Kyogo in a free role was a joy to watch, McGregor was spraying passes about like Paul McStay at one point and Idah was a decent focal point in attack. Celtic played with poise, purpose and rhythm at times and the only thing lacking was a killer quality to their end product and chance conversion. 

It will come one of these days before May and someone will be on the receiving end of damage in the form of a pasting - why not Killie?  It could all come down to goal difference in the final reckoning. Whilst wins are enough at this stage of the campaign. Convincing victories could be worth their weight in gold.

Strap yourselves in. 13 games to go. 13 cup finals for the champions. To the victor the spoils. Let battle commence.

Tony's team: Hart; Ralston, Welsh, Scales, Taylor; Palma, McGregor, O'Riley, Maeda; Kyogo; Idah.