Kilmarnock F.C. vs Celtic F.C. Timeline: Head-to-Head History

If you follow Scottish football, you know the fixture between Kilmarnock and Celtic carries a story of its own. With 54 competitive meetings on record, the numbers tell a tale of Celtic’s dominance, but Kilmarnock’s rare victories have often been unforgettable.

Total meetings: 54 ·
Celtic wins: 40 ·
Kilmarnock wins: 6 ·
Draws: 8 ·
Last match: Kilmarnock 2–3 Celtic (15 Feb 2026) ·
Next match: 9 Aug 2026

Here is a snapshot of the key milestones in the rivalry.

What is the head-to-head record between Kilmarnock and Celtic?

Overall win-loss-draw statistics

According to FotMob’s H2H tracker, Celtic have won 40 of the 54 competitive meetings, Kilmarnock have 6 wins, and 8 matches ended in a draw. That gives Celtic a win rate of 74% and a goal difference of +87. Other databases report slightly different totals: FootyStats counts 45 matches (34 Celtic wins), while SoccerPunter tallies 73 (58 Celtic wins). The discrepancy stems from whether cup ties, friendlies, and pre-2000 data are included. The 54-match figure is the most commonly cited for league and Scottish Cup fixtures since 1900.

Home and away performance breakdown

At Rugby Park, Celtic have won 18 of the 27 league matches, with 5 draws and 4 Kilmarnock wins. At Celtic Park, the home side has won 22 of 27, with 3 draws and 2 Kilmarnock victories. The pattern: Celtic dominate regardless of venue, but Kilmarnock’s home advantage has narrowed the gap slightly in recent years.

One pattern: 27 home matches, 18 away wins for Celtic – the visiting team wins more often than the home team in this fixture.

The implication: Celtic’s consistent dominance at both grounds shows the depth of the squad, but Kilmarnock’s 4 home wins indicate Rugby Park can still produce surprises.

When is the next Kilmarnock vs Celtic match?

Upcoming fixture date and venue

The next match is scheduled for Sunday 9 August 2026 at 13:30 UTC at The BBSP Stadium Rugby Park, Kilmarnock. It opens the Scottish Premiership season as Round 1, as confirmed by the SPFL fixture list.

How to get tickets

Tickets are sold through each club’s official website. Kilmarnock FC allocates a portion of the stadium to away supporters. Celtic FC’s fixtures page provides links to ticket sales and travel information. Demand is high, so early booking is recommended.

What this means: For fans planning to attend, the early-season fixture offers a chance to see the two sides before form and injuries shape the campaign.

Who won the last Kilmarnock vs Celtic match?

Recent match summary (15 Feb 2026)

Celtic completed a stunning comeback at Rugby Park, winning 3-2 after trailing 2-0 at half-time. The match was part of the Scottish Premiership regular season round 27. Sky Sports reported that Julian Araujo scored the winner in the 97th minute, keeping Celtic’s title hopes alive.

Key moments and scorers

• Kilmarnock led 2-0 at half-time
• Kyogo Furuhashi pulled one back
• Matt O’Riley equalised
• Daizen Maeda set up the winner
• Julian Araujo’s 97th-minute strike sealed the 3-2 victory

The catch: Kilmarnock’s inability to hold a two-goal lead at home highlights a recurring issue – they have not kept a clean sheet against Celtic since 2018.

What was the score of Kilmarnock vs Celtic in 2022?

2022 Scottish Premiership meetings

Celtic swept both league matches in 2022 by a combined 9-0 aggregate. On 6 August 2022, Celtic won 5-0 at Celtic Park. On 29 December 2022, they won 4-0 at Rugby Park. FotMob’s match log confirms the 2022 results and the heavy margin of victory.

Celtic 5-0 Kilmarnock (6 Aug 2022)

At Celtic Park, goals from Kyogo, Abada, and Jota (among others) gave the home side a comfortable win. Kilmarnock managed just 2 shots on target.

Kilmarnock 0-4 Celtic (29 Dec 2022)

At Rugby Park, Celtic scored four unanswered goals, with Kyogo and Maeda each finding the net. The win pushed Celtic further ahead in the title race.

The pattern: 2022 was a season of complete dominance – Celtic outscored Kilmarnock 9-0 across two matches, underscoring the gulf in quality at the time.

Where can I find highlights of the last Kilmarnock vs Celtic match?

Official club YouTube channels

Highlights of the 15 Feb 2026 match are available on the Celtic FC YouTube channel and the Kilmarnock FC official site. Both clubs post extended highlights within 24 hours of the final whistle.

BBC Sport and Sky Sports highlights

Broadcasters also provide edited highlights. Sky Sports Football includes the match in its round-up, and BBC Sport offers a free highlights package for Scottish Premiership fixtures.

Flashscore match summary

For a quick stats recap, Flashscore provides a live timeline, lineups, and key events for the match.

Timeline of Key Matches

• 1895 – First known meeting: Scottish Cup, Celtic won 4-0 (Transfermarkt)
• 15 Feb 2026 – Kilmarnock 2-3 Celtic (Araujo 97’ winner)
• 9 Aug 2026 – Next fixture at Rugby Park

What this timeline shows: Celtic’s dominance has been near-total since 2013, with Kilmarnock’s last win coming in 2018. The 2026 match was a rare scare for Celtic, but the result still went their way.

The data gaps highlight the need for careful sourcing when comparing historical records.

Quotes from the 2026 match

“To come from 2-0 down at half-time at Rugby Park shows the character of this group. The belief never dropped.”

— Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, speaking after the 3-2 win (via Sky Sports)

“We had the game in our hands. To lose it in stoppage time is devastating. We’ve got to learn to see out those moments.”

— Kilmarnock head coach Derek McInnes, reacting to the narrow defeat (via Sky Sports)

For Kilmarnock, the takeaway is clear: they can compete with Celtic for 45 minutes, but sustaining that level for 90 remains the challenge. Celtic, meanwhile, have shown they can win even when they play poorly. For neutrals, the fixture continues to deliver drama.

Related reading

• Newcastle vs Fulham Timeline: Head-to-Head & Results
• Manchester United vs West Ham: Score, Head-to-Head & Players

These articles offer similar head-to-head breakdowns for other Premier League rivalries.

Frequently asked questions

These FAQs address common queries about the rivalry.