Brendan Rodgers has made himself clear over what he expects from his Celtic side over the next few weeks.
The October international break is coming to an end with 16 Hoops stars returning to Lennoxtown this week before facing Dundee on Sunday.
Celtic will play seven fixtures in just 22 days across three competitions, the biggest clash being the Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden.
There’s also two Europa League games against Sturm Graz, but Celtic’s bread and butter is in the Scottish Premiership.
Celtic are second behind leaders Hearts at the moment, while performances haven’t been up to the standards expected from Rodgers.
Rodgers wants improved Celtic displays and consistency
The message from Rodgers to his players is simple: perform at a higher level and be consistent with that.
Speaking to Celtic TV ahead of the Dens Park trip this weekend, Rodgers said: “I think it’s always a good opportunity over the course of the international break. We’ve had some of our younger players get some minutes and get some games.
“Others have been able to develop some of their football fitness, but also important to have that period of rest when you’ve just come off the back of a hectic schedule, and then you’re preparing for another one.
“So we want to get the performance level to a higher level, of course, in a more consistent way. It’s a really exciting period. That’s what Celtic is all about, playing in these games and playing the big games.
“And for us, that collective being together is always the attitude that we want to show. And like I say, we’re excited by these games that are coming up.
“We want to go in and embrace the challenges and everyone together fighting for the same cause is what Celtic is about.”
Celtic’s seven fixtures before November international break
This is a really important period for Celtic, as Rodgers alludes to. It’s a chance to really test the resolve of Hearts in the Premiership – do they have what it takes to mount a title challenge?
- Dundee vs Celtic (October 19)
- Celtic vs Sturm Graz (October 23)
- Hearts vs Celtic (October 26)
- Celtic vs Falkirk (October 29)
- Celtic vs Rangers (November 2)
- FC Midtjylland vs Celtic (November 6)
- Celtic vs Kilmarnock (November 6)
Of course, there’s the opportunity to rub more salt into Rangers wounds by dumping them out of the Premier Sports Cup and progressing to the final against either Motherwell or St Mirren.
And in the Europa League, Celtic seriously need to register at least four points from the games against Sturm Graz and FC Midtjylland to ignite their campaign.
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