Pat Nevin
Former Kilmarnock winger on BBC Radio Scotland

I have never known a professional player who does like playing on [artificial] pitches.

In my time [at Kilmarnock], we would argue it was the best pitch in the league. It was always pretty flat, the grass was good. When I was in the Scotland team, this is where we trained.

I found it heartbreaking when they ripped it up, so it's good to see it back and we'll see how it plays.

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

It's early days, but they got the win in the first game. They'll try and learn from that and kick on.

I do think Celtic will be better this week. The question about them though, is their penetration.

There's lots of passing it around, in front of a packed defence. They don't seem to have players out wide who can beat their man one-v-one. It's crucial you try to do that.

I hate seeing wingers pass the ball back and reduce their responsibility.

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann tells BBC Sportsound: "It's been for too long that this place has beee without a grass surface

"It's quite a firm surface, it's quite a fast surface. It's just wonderful to have the grass back. We managed to get on it yesterday and it was really nice.

"We let ourselves down last week against St Johnstone by not following through in how good we can be with the ball and off the ball we let ourselves down as well.

"We've given every bit of information that I think we can pass on. Now we've got to give them the belief. They need to produce a bit of bravery today and a big performance.

"I extend my well wishes to Martin [O'Neill]. I'm disappointed he's not in the dugout today. Shaun [Maloney] will take instruction from him. This is a very capable side, well coached."

Assistant Shaun Maloney took charge of Celtic media duties on Friday and will be overseeing today's match in manager Martin O'Neill's absence.

More on this

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock were on the wrong end of a 4-3 scoreline last time out against St Johnstone.

Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann had hoped to see Celtic counterpart Martin O'Neill in the opposing dugout today and wished him well in his recovery.

Here is Kilmarnock's new grass-hybrid pitch, which will be used for the first time this afternoon.

Killie did not play their recent League Cup home games at Rugby Park so it will be interesting to see how the players enjoy using the new surface today.

Image source, SNS

Just the two Scottish Premiership fixtures on Saturday.

Dundee registered their first three league points of the season with a solid 2-0 win over visitors Aberdeen, Joe Westley and Joe Bevan getting the goals.

And St Mirren made it two wins out of two after Killian Phillips' penalty secured a 1-0 victory over St Johnstone in Paisley.

Image source, SNS

Celtic, led by assistant Shaun Maloney in manager Martin O'Neill's absence, name an unchanged starting XI following Monday evening's 1-0 win over Dundee.

Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann makes two changes following last week's 4-3 defeat by St Johnstone in Perth.

Jamie Brandon and Johnly Yfeko come into the defence, with the latter making his debut.

Ethan Schilte-Brown drops to the bench and Nicky Clescenco is not in the squad.

It looks like Erik Ring will be pushed forward after playing at right-back last week.

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock: Stryjek, Brandon, Stanger, Yfeko, Schjonning-Larsen, Lowery, Tshibola, Ring, Kiltie, John-Jules, Hugill.

Substitutes: Ferrie, O'Hara, McKenzie, Thomson, Schilte-Brown, Owen, Bowie, Rice.

Celtic: Sinisalo, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Tierney, McGregor, Engels, Nygren, Yang, Duran, Hogh.

Substitutes: Doohan, McCowan, Tounekti, Osmand, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Donovan.

Liam McLeod
BBC Scotland commentator at Rugby Park

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill won't be at the match at Kilmarnock this afternoon.

He's absolutely fine after that procedure and hospital stay earlier this week but this one has come just a bit too early for him.

Potentially, he'll be back for the League Cup tie against Dundee United next week.

Image source, SNS

Sportsound is on air for the build-up to today's Scottish Premiership matches.

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