The January fixture list isn’t providing any rest for Celtic as they push to confirm the title.
Thankfully, Celtic’s 15-point lead at the top of the Premiership table allows them to breathe easy and not take too many risks with key players.
That’s proven by the absence of Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda, as Celtic travel to Dundee on Tuesday night hoping to secure another three points.
Brendan Rodgers won’t say it out loud, but he can put his feet up and light up a cigar because this is going to be another stroll towards the title for him.
This also allows Celtic to focus more on the Champions League because two matches remain in the group phase – a home tie against Young Boys and then a trip to Villa Park on January 29.
Destiny is in Celtic’s hands, in regards to reaching the play-offs, so you wonder if, in and around those matches, the manager rotates and plays a weaker XI.
Brendan Rodgers told to play Celtic youngsters amid ‘enormous’ lead over Rangers
Andy Walker explained that, speaking to ‘Celtic family and friends’, they would like the manager to perhaps hand the younger players a chance.
This isn’t the fringe players, like the struggling Luis Palma, but the academy guys, so fans can see what they are all about.
Walker thinks throwing in a few youngsters will provide Rodgers with the chance to see if any of them can ‘hack it’, as he told Go Radio.
“Having spoken to family and friends that go to see Celtic every week,” said Walker. “I think now, with this points gap, is there any possibility that you can see one of the young lads getting an opportunity?
“I know Celtic have got a lot of games. I know you don’t get first-team action if you haven’t earned it. If you don’t deserve it.
“But is there a possibility of seeing one or two of the young boys getting a chance? Given that Celtic have got this enormous lead at the top of the table. You are now saying you are going to drop points. But just to give one or two of the young lads a chance in the first-team and see if they can hack it.”
Is Johnny Kenny’s opportunity a sign of things to come?
Celtic beat Ross County over the weekend, with Rodgers tweaking things in the final third by starting Kyogo Furuahshi and Adam Idah together.
But Rodgers also handed Johnny Kenny his debut following his strong loan spell at Shamrock Rovers.
Will he be handed starts during these coming weeks, especially if the manager would want to wrap the likes of Kyogo in cotton wool for the European matches?
Perhaps that’s something Andy Walker is hinting at because it would be great to see.
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