The next few weeks are the most important of Celtic’s season

Celtic always have big games and busy periods coming up, so it’s business as usual to some extent for the Bhoys. But they do have some critical and trophy determining matches fast approaching.

Over the coming weeks Celtic face a number of significant tests in their endeavours to secure the league and to get success in European football. They probably face a few more issues around Covid-19 tests too while the international period continues this coming week. Especially with the latest news of another Celtic player, Nir Bitton, testing positive while with his Israeli international team. And then let’s not forget the unfinished Scottish Cup is still to be played out to a conclusion.

As far as the league is concerned a game against their Ibrox rivals is always important. It brings home the meaning of a potential 6 pointer. Victory opens up a potential lead and points gap which will be more obvious if the game in hand is also caught up with 3 points secured.

A draw leaves all to play for still and an unthinkable defeat doesn’t end matters by any means but offers a mind set and mental advantage to Steve Gerrard and his crew. Neil Lennon has already talked about the need to prepare his squad mentally for the lack of fans backing them at next weeks match in an empty Parkhead.

Lots has already been written about who might be ready and available to play in either team and who might be out. Some absences like Ryan Christie are known, others like Odsonne Edouard are still to be decided. Let’s see how that progresses this week.

More from Celtic FC News

• Celtic handed fresh injury doubt before Feyenoord game
• Celtic’s £40.7 million announcement should scare Rangers
• Brendan Rodgers makes superb claim about returning Celtic player
• BBC pundit makes sensational claim about Celtic hero Kyogo
• Kyogo Furuhashi sends clear message to Celtic doubters

Domestically there are tricky league games away at both Aberdeen and Motherwell to play. Always tough places to go, the difficulty is compounded by being in amongst the busy schedule with the European and Scottish cup matches. Celtic have done well in the past to avoid European hangovers on subsequent games, long may that continue.

The Europa League brings its own tough group and games. If you want to play in Europe you run that risk. A couple of home games against AC Milan and Sparta Prague are split by an away tie at Lille in between. And of course home advantage isn’t all it used to be these days.

Then, as mentioned above there is the long awaited trip to Hampden right at the beginning of November to face Aberdeen in a Scottish Cup semi final. It’s almost been overlooked given the way last season came to an end that Celtic can still secure a treble. Not just any treble though, an astounding 4 in a row and twelve successive domestic trophies in a row.  That would be astounding if possible.

By the first week in November all those games will have been played, lots will have happened and Celtic’s season will be taking shape. It is a huge period and could build the foundations for a successful ten-in-a-row season. Not to mention that next step to closing another potential treble.

C’mon the Hoops!

Those fixtures in full from Celtic FC:

Rangers (H) – October 17

AC Milan (H) – October 22

Aberdeen (A) – October 25

Lille (A) – October 29

Aberdeen (N) – November 1 (Scottish Cup)

Sparta Prague (H) – November 5

Motherwell (A) – November 8