Kilmarnock v Celtic

CELTIC head coach Dr Jozef Venglos could have Scottish youth internationalist Scott Marshall in his defence for the trip to Rugby Park tomorrow, setting up a face-to-face between the Southampton defender and his big brother, Kilmarnock goalkeeper, Gordon.

Venglos, perplexed by his crippling injury list, which seems to have afflicted the rearguard more than any other department of the team, has made an attempt to sign the former Arsenal centre back. currently out of the first-team picture at The Del, on loan for three months and would like to see him remain in the team for the rest of the season.

Predominantly midfielders, Swede Johan Mjallby and Norwegian Vidar Riseth have been deployed as the makeshift central defence in the absence of the first-choice pairing of Alan Stubbs and long-term casualty Marc Rieper, while full back Stephane Mahe's remains on the sidelines along with luckless Italian Enrico Annoni.

''We have got to get a few things sorted out but we are hopeful that we can have Scott before the match with Kilmarnock,'' said Venglos.

''Both Mjallby and Riseth can play at the back even though it is not their natural position, but I know all about Marshall, and he played something like 20 matches for Arsenal.

''We have been taking information on players available for quite some time and he is one who has been observed for us on a number of occasions.''

Marshall, a member of the Scotland team which lost on penalties to Saudi Arabia in the 1989 Under-16 World Cup final at Hampden Park, was on his way north last night to tie up the deal. It would end a nightmare spell down south.

He was seen as a precocious talent at Highbury after his impressive appearances at the back in the absence of Tony Adams and Steve Bould, but left in July of last year as the Arsene Wenger revolution pushed him further and further down the pecking order.

Ironically, he was targeted by West Ham United as a replacement for Glasgow-bound Rieper, but the move fell through. Keen to establish himself in the Premiership, however, he joined perennial strugglers Southampton in July, but the move turned sour quickly. He has started only two games this season, against Leeds United and Newcastle United, but had the misfortune of scoring own goals in each occasion - one with his posterior.

A back injury has since hampered his progress with Dave Jones' side and the club will not prove too difficult to deal with, should Celtic require his services for a longer period.

Despite suffering what 63-year-old Venglos suggested was the worst injury crisis in his managerial career - ''although I cannot say for certain because I have been a manager for many years'' - his side have refused to surrender the championship to their fierce rivals from across the city.

Aberdeen incurred the wrath of their potent new strike force of Mark Viduka and Henrik Larsson last week, going down by a hefty five goals to nil at home. Since the winter break such scorelines have become the norm for the Parkhead side.

No doubt Venglos, who will again be without Stubbs, Rieper, Annoni, Mahe, Lubo Moravcik, Tommy Johnston, and Regi Blinker, has privately lamented what might have been had he enjoyed playing more often with his first choice 11 players. Yesterday he put on a brave face by suggesting the absentees have given young players such as Colin Healy, Jamie Smith, Liam Keogh, and Barry Corr - substitutes in recent weeks - valuable first-team experience.

None the less, Celtic's most accomplished player, Larsson, could tip the balance in the holders' favour at Rugby Park, and he will be hoping to hit the headlines for all the right reasons this time around.

Back in February he was involved in a nasty collision with Kilmarnock full back Gus MacPherson, which opened up a debate as to whether or not he deliberately stamped on his opponent's leg.

MacPherson's gashed shin kept him out of action for two weeks, but he returned to play in last week's 1-0 win over St Johnstone, and last night told me that the incident is water under the bridge.

''I don't want to talk about what happened because for me it is a completely different match,'' he said. ''The injury is fine and I'm looking forward to the match.''

The 30-year-old admits the season has a familiar feel to it, with St Johnstone once again their main obstacle in pursuit of a European place. He believes an inquest into their poor form since the winter break should stand them in good stead.

He said: ''Players start looking for excuses when things go wrong but the manager gave us a few home truths before the St Johnstone game and the players seemed to have responded.''

BOOKIE'S VIEW: Kilmarnock 4-1, Celtic 8-11, draw 5-2.