Celtic’s current league form could help knock out Valencia in the Europa League last 32.
The Bhoys are currently third in the Scottish Premiership, but with a game in hand.
This is the closest challenge the Bhoys have had in years with both Rangers and Kilmarnock breathing down their necks.
Competitiveness key to Valencia success
One point always made after a European exit is the league isn’t competitive enough.
Celtic have sailed to seven titles in a row and have finished far from any team below them in the table.
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With the Valencia match only a month and a half away, even a strong Celtic wouldn’t create much breathing space between them and second place.
This is beneficial for The Bhoys as it means they’ll need to play at 100% sharpness for this period.
Games are coming thick and fast in December and with losses to RB Salzburg and Hibs, squad depth and the hefty schedule is taking its toll.
Brendan Rodgers knows he needs to give his squad an overhaul to make it more tight-knit but also add quality.
How Celtic can improve fortunes
Celtic’s form team collapsed against Salzburg with Mikael Lustig and Ryan Christie going off injured.
Added with the loss of Dedryck Boyata with Jozo Simunovic coming in, it’s a different team.
With Christie and Boyata returning in the near future, they will need to show their competitive nature to get The Hoops back where they belong.
No slackness will be allowed beyond this point or face losing track on the top two.
By the time the Valencia ties come round, Celtic will be focussed and fit for the contest.
Rodgers does need to go to the transfer market to get a right-back, a centre-back and a striker.
Failure to meet those targets will just make the Valencia task more difficult as well as clinching eight-in-a-row.
Everyone will be focusing on qualification in February, it’s up to the board to make it happen.