Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is expecting a patient battle against Kilmarnock when the two sides meet at Rugby Park on Saturday.

Kilmarnock earned a point when they played out a 1-1 draw at Celtic Park in October and Rodgers thinks his players will face a stern test to break down Steve Clarke's side.

"Stevie has done an excellent job. He has them set up deep, they defend really deep and deny you space, especially in the final third of the pitch," Rodgers said.

"They play narrow so you have to be patient. He has got them very well organised, very tight and brought in some different players so it will be a tough game for us."

Aston Villa loanee Aaron Tshibola could make his Kilmarnock debut in the fixture. The 23-year-old was reunited with his former Reading manager and Aston Villa assistant when Clarke signed him on loan from the West Midlands club this week.

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He will also come up against former Villa team-mate Scott Sinclair, Scotland's player of the year, at Rugby Park.

"He was actually my room-mate at Aston Villa," Tshibola said of Sinclair. "I know Scotty quite well and it will be good to see him again. We have kept in touch.

"I didn't really speak to him too much before coming up here but I'm obviously aware of what Scotty's achieved here. He's a great player and a great person soI'm happy for him."

Team news

Kilmarnock have fitness doubts over midfielders Alan Power and Chris Burke.

New loan signings Tshibola and Aaron Simpson come into the squad, while goalkeepers Leo Fasan and Jasko Keranovic are competing for a place on the bench after being brought in following the departure of Cammy Bell.

Jack Hendry and Scott Bain are included in the Celtic squad. Defender Hendry signed a four-and-a-half-year deal from Dundee on transfer Deadline Day with goalkeeper Bain arriving on loan until the end of the season.

Craig Gordon (knee), Leigh Griffiths (calf), Marvin Compper (calf strain), Jonny Hayes (broken leg), Tom Rogic, Anthony Ralston (both knee), Stuart Armstrong (hernia operation) and Patrick Roberts (hamstring) remain out

Opta stats

• Killie are on a 16-game winless streak against Celtic in the Scottish Premiership (D3 L13), last beating the Hoops 2-0 at Celtic Park back in October 2012.
• Celtic are unbeaten in their last 13 trips to Rugby Park in the Scottish Premiership (W11 D2); only against Dundee (19) are Celtic enjoying a longer away unbeaten run of current top-flight sides.
• No player has had a hand in more goals in the Scottish top-flight this season than Scott Sinclair (13; nine goals, four assists).
• Kilmarnock have won their last three home league games - they haven't won four in a row at home in the top-flight since October 2014.
• Although Leigh Griffiths has scored six goals in his last seven Scottish Premiership appearances against Kilmarnock for Celtic, only one of those goals has come at Rugby Park.

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