Lennon and Laursen ruled out for Celtic

Scottish champions Celtic return to domestic duties at Rugby Park today having made history during the week.

Celtic recovered from last weekend’s defeat by Rangers by carrying a European campaign beyond Christmas for the first time in 23 years as they overcame Spanish opposition for the first time.

Martin O’Neill’s side were beaten 2-1 at Celta Vigo but the result was enough to take them through to the fourth round of the UEFA Cup.

But retaining the championship remains the side’s priority, as O’Neill proved by naming his strongest possible team for today’s game in Ayrshire.

He was forced into two changes as he looked to move back within two points of Rangers. Neil Lennon and Ulrik Laursen were both ruled out injured giving Paul Lambert and Jackie McNamara the chance to return to the starting XI.

Kilmarnock were also on a high having won their last two matches, but manager Jim Jefferies was hit by selection problems.

He made two changes from the side which beat Dundee last week with Ally Mitchell and James Fowler coming into the side for Gary Locke and Craig Dargo, who went down with a virus during the week.

But the striker, who signed a new contract on Friday, made the bench.