With the international break in full swing, Celtic fans will already be looking ahead with excitement to the Bhoys’ top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash with Aberdeen in ten days’ time.
Before that, the Bhoys travel to Sligo Rovers for a friendly tonight at the Showgrounds. Brendan Rodgers plans to distribute game time among fringe first-teamers and young stars showing potential.
Providing useful preparation ahead of returning to competitive action, Celtic’s upcoming tussle with Aberdeen has attracted plenty of top billing with both sides level on points at the league summit.
With debate raging over the fact the Celtic Park meeting won’t be broadcast on live television, the Bhoys have opted out of a Premier Sports contract to show 20 SPFL matches across the campaign, turning down £75,000 per home game to avoid inconveniencing season ticket holders who have made travel plans.
While the club’s decision appears intelligent, all eyes will undoubtedly still be on events in Glasgow’s east end on Saturday, October 19th, as both sides face off in the Scottish Premiership with a chance to race three points clear of one another.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan has had his say on whether Aberdeen could pose a genuine threat to the Bhoys’ title defence this campaign.
Luke McCowan on whether Aberdeen can challenge Celtic
Taking the professional approach, McCowan believes nobody can be considered genuine outright favourites for the title at an early stage in the season, with a game-by-game mantra the only thing likely to be on the minds of personnel at Celtic and Aberdeen.
He explained [Daily Record]: “No. We’re are only seven games in so sadly I can’t say they are. But after seven games, there are no title contenders. They will be saying the same and will be taking it each game.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  CelticCeltic | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 | 21 | 21 |
| 2 |  AberdeenAberdeen | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 6 | 9 | 21 |
| 3 |  RangersRangers | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 16 |
| 4 |  MotherwellMotherwell | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 13 |
Key:
Position 1 – 6 : Championship RoundPosition 7 – 12 : Relegation Round
“We know we have a tough game coming up. It doesn’t matter who you are playing, it’s always going to be a tough game.
“And in this league if you treat it any differently you are going to get punished. It’s about being aware of that and having the same mentality going into every game.”
Celtic’s mentality will be key against Aberdeen
Although facing Sligo Rovers tonight comes first for Celtic, every step of their preparation over the international break will be with their contest against Aberdeen in mind.
Last weekend, both sides maintained their 100% Scottish Premiership records with victories over Ross County and Heart of Midlothian, respectively, setting the scene for a fascinating duel in front of a capacity crowd.
McCowan is right to reference the importance of ‘mentality’, which is always relevant in the Celtic camp amid the pressure to win every week in green and white.
Having already achieved seven straight Scottish Premiership victories, you get the impression the Bhoys are hungry to go one better when Aberdeen come to town next weekend.
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