Celtic’s match against Ross County on Sunday is a welcome chance for the Bhoys to enter the international break on a high.
There has been such a positive feeling around the club in the opening months of the season, but Tuesday night’s match against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League pierced that bubble.
Now the players are regrouping, putting that pain behind them and looking to pick up another Scottish Premiership three points in Dingwall.
Don Cowie’s team have their own objectives in the match and will fancy the opportunity of making a bad week even worse for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Ross County defenders have already suggested they’ll be using the ‘dark arts’ against Celtic and Cowie has now shared it’ll very much be a rearguard defensive display from the home side.
Don Cowie shares Ross County plan for Celtic visit
The Staggies boss is intent on quelling the voice of the over-1,000 Celtic fans in attendance and stifling the away side with men behind the ball.
Cowie said [Ross-Shire Journal]: “I just think the way Brendan is, and managing a club like Celtic, you can never feel sorry for yourself.
“Every game is scrutinised, and I’m sure that they will have been aware that no matter what the result was on Tuesday coming up to us on Sunday is just as important.
“That’s what makes them so good; they are relentless. They go from playing in front of 80,000 on Tuesday to playing in front of 6,000 on Sunday, but you have to have that mentality to play for Celtic.
“You always try and give yourself a base to work from, and that’s being solid and secure and not giving anything away for free.
“Then you have the possibility of getting that goal, which gives you energy and something to hang on to against a top-quality team.
“There’s also always the possibility that it brings a bit of anxiety to the crowd. We know they travel in big numbers, and they are vocal as a fan base, so it’s important we start well.”
Celtic must be ruthless with goal opportunities
It’s nothing too unexpected from County. These are the standard tactics most teams in Scotland play against Celtic. The job of the champions is to exploit little weaknesses and make their quality count to get ahead.
We know how these matches go if the Bhoys miss a chance or two. It suddenly becomes a bit of a slog, and, as Cowie alludes to, anxiety can creep into the performance.
We all want to see the ruthless Celtic of recent weeks back at the top of their game. Put mid-week in the rearview mirror, relentlessly pursue County and cut them open like St Johnstone.
It’s easier said than done but these guys are champions for a reason.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
