The Viaplay League Cup draw yesterday paired Celtic with Kilmarnock as Brendan Rodgers faces the task of defending the trophy at Rugby Park next month.
BBC pundit and former Aberdeen manager, Willie Miller, believes he knows how Kilmarnock boss, Derek McInnes will be feeling after drawing the cup holders in the last 16.
And although Miller thinks that facing Celtic will be a ‘huge challenge’ for McInnes, he also outlines one positive the Rugby Park boss can take from the draw.
Miller said [BBC Sportsound], “Derek McInnes at Kilmarnock and Celtic coming visiting is a huge challenge for him too. I think he’ll be a little bit disappointed that it’s Celtic.
“I think when you get drawn against Celtic at any stage with them having the quality that they have got and a cup competition then it’s a huge challenge for you.
“But you’re at home. You’re at home so I think that’s a benefit for Kilmarnock having been drawn against Celtic.”
It is a positive, but Kilmarnock’s overall record against Celtic doesn’t bode well for Derek McInnes’ hopes of progressing in the cup.
Celtic last faced Killie in the league cup just last season when they defeated the Ayrshire side 2-0 at Hampden in the semi-final after goals from Daizen Maeda and Giorgos Giakoumakis sent the Bhoys on their way to another treble.
Although Celtic dominated the game in terms of possession, it did take a 95th-minute goal by Giakoumakis to seal the win in what was turning into a tense finale at the national stadium.
The last time Celtic tasted defeat against Killie was back in February 2018 and we have been undefeated against the Ayrshire side winning all but two fixtures.
Of course, nothing will be taken for granted by the Celtic supporters or Brendan Rodgers. The task ahead for McInnes is huge but it is cup football after all. Anything can happen and the Celtic manager will make sure the unthinkable doesn’t.
In other news, Athletic Club’s brilliant Celtic tribute ahead of James Forrest testimonial
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
