Three things Brendan Rodgers and Celtic must improve after the international break

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It is fair to say that Celtic haven’t had the best of starts this season.

While Liam Scales and Kelechi Iheanacho have impressed, as a collective, the Hoops are yet to really get going.

Celtic are two points behind Hearts in the Scottish Premiership table and compared to this time last season, Brendan Rodgers’ side are worse off.

The return of the international break will see some big games in the Europa League, as well as a Glasgow derby in the Premier Sports Cup.

With that, here are three things that the Celtic manager should improve when the Bhoys return to action.

• READ MORE: Why Celtic fans need to start talking about Brendan Rodgers now and not just the board

Start games quicker

This season, it seems that Celtic don’t start playing until they go a goal down, or leave it at least 30 minutes before stringing anything meaningful together.

There is enough attacking talent in this side to take the game to the opponent and strike fear into them.

Endless passing around the back and to the side draws groans from the crowd, but by moving the ball around quicker and with more intent, it may begin to yield more convincing results.

Give Viljami Sinisalo a run of games

Kasper Schmeichel has been solid for the majority of his Celtic career, but cracks are beginning to emerge.

The 38-year-old has come under fire from sections of the fanbase after a series of errors, which included a goalkeeping error in the loss against Braga.

Schmeichel’s value has depreciated since the turn of this season, and at 38, he is in the latter days of his career.

Viljami Sinisalo is waiting in the wings and hasn’t put a foot wrong since joining the Hoops. He is the future of Celtic, and it may be time to start looking towards the long-term.

Get a first win in Europe

If you think it has been poor domestically, it has been even more disappointing on the continental stage.

After crashing out of the Champions League in the play-off stage to Kairat Almaty, the Bhoys have drawn against Red Star Belgrade and lost at home to Braga in the Europa League.

Even though there are six games remaining in the competition’s league phase, Celtic do not want to be making up further ground.

Their next fixtures are Sturm Graz and FC Midtjylland, both winnable games, and failure to do that will set alarm bells are ringing.