Celtic face a demanding run of nine fixtures between now and New Year, with six of those matches away from home and just three at Parkhead. The Scottish champions will resume after the international break with a schedule that also includes a blockbuster Old Firm meeting at Ibrox on Sunday, January 3.
Nine games in seven weeks
The Hoops will travel to Hearts, Dundee, Aberdeen and Dundee United in the Premiership, alongside European away days in Portugal and Cyprus. Their only home league fixtures come against St Mirren, St Johnstone and Motherwell.
Celtic will get a rare December weekend off after their Parkhead clash with Hibs was pushed back to January. That postponement came about because Celtic crashed out of the Premier Sports Cup to finalists Rangers, whose Hampden showdown with Hibs forced the league game to be rearranged.
Pressure on O'Neill's side
The Premiership leaders hold a four-point advantage over Rangers, having played a game more. With European hopes also hanging by a thread, the next seven weeks could go a long way towards defining their season.
The nine-day gap between the Europa League trip to Cyprus to face Omonia and the visit to Pittodrie could prove a blessing in disguise during what promises to be a make-or-break month. The pressure will be firmly on manager Martin O'Neill to protect the lead at the top of the table before the Ne'er Day blockbuster.
Celtic's festive fixture list
- November 21 - St Mirren (H)
- November 26 - Torreense (A)
- November 29 - Hearts (A)
- December 2 - Dundee (A)
- December 5 - St Johnstone (H)
- December 10 - Omonia (A)
- December 20 - Aberdeen (A)
- December 26 - Motherwell (H)
- December 30 - Dundee United (A)
With Celtic chasing a sixth successive title, supporters will expect nine points from the three home matches against St Mirren, St Johnstone and Motherwell. There will be precious little room for festive cheer if they spill any more points.
