Celtic and Aberdeen are separated by goal difference as the third international break of the campaign puts the Scottish Premiership on hold until next weekend.
Unsurprisingly, Brendan Rodgers has the defending champions on an outstanding run of form, with ten wins and a draw in the league alongside progress in the Champions League and Premier Sports Cup setting the scene for the months ahead.
However, Jimmy Thelin’s Aberdeen have an identical record in the Scottish top-flight, which is also aided by the fact they aren’t involved in European football this season.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  CelticCeltic | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 3 | 28 | 31 |
| 2 |  AberdeenAberdeen | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 10 | 14 | 31 |
| 3 |  RangersRangers | 11 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 22 |
| 4 |  Dundee UtdDundee Utd | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 18 | 13 | 5 | 19 |
Leaving both sides locked on 31 points apiece, there is tangible anticipation in the air ahead of their next meeting at Pittodrie in a few weeks’ time.
In early November, Celtic thrashed Aberdeen 6-0 at Hampden to place themselves within 90 minutes of claiming silverware. Rangers stand in their way, but there are plenty of tests before then for the Bhoys to get their teeth into after the break.
Making an intriguing observation, Dons boss Thelin has cited the Bhoys as an example to follow for his outfit as they look to turn their own aspirations into reality.
Jimmy Thelin uses Celtic as a yardstick for Aberdeen to emulate
Speaking to The Daily Record, Thelin challenged his Aberdeen side to use Celtic as inspiration amid their pursuit of continental football, which, in turn, provides more opportunities to improve against high-calibre opposition on the big stage.
Citing the Bhoys’ ability to juggle their domestic schedule alongside Champions League football as a yardstick to aim for, he explained: “Celtic have been in this environment for a long time and the players have played these seasons many, many times so they can cope with that.
“If you want to be there you have to live it, try it and be better at it then go again. It’s the only way I know it and I think it’s always about trying to be consistent.
“First of all you have to be consistent in the league so you deserve this position to play in Europe. And when you play in Europe, still the league has to be there so you can play in Europe again and then again.
“That’s the only way to create this capacity to compete so many games and so many times. For me it’s the most important thing.
“We have to grow such strong identities so we can be consistent in the league and then try to improve our level in Europe step by step. Celtic are used to that because they have deserved it and we also have to make our journey now and think about that.”
Thelin’s comments illustrate Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic excellence
Being used as a blueprint usually means your example is one worth following, and that is certainly the case when evaluating how Rodgers has managed to turn Celtic into an improved force.
Last season ended up being a transitional one in many ways. Despite the Bhoys claiming a double, it took a while for the squad to fully adjust to his ideas after working under Ange Postecoglou.
However, the most interesting part of the story is Rodgers has also had to adapt his way of thinking at times. Despite his preference to play on the front foot, the Irishman changed tact during Celtic’s draw away to Atalanta to claim a point against last season’s Europa League winners.
Throwing the Bhoys’ victory over Leipzig in there for good measure, you begin to see the wider theme of this trajectory is formed by a process, where the Hoops have slowly added different elements to their game over time that has forged an even deeper sense of inevitability when it comes to claiming results.
In short, that is why Celtic have been able to juggle both domestic football and Europe. It takes time to forge an identity that isn’t just based on footballing principles, so it is no surprise Rodgers’ outfit are now being heralded as the go-to example in Scotland.
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