Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has declared he is ready for the challenge at Celtic Park and will stay on after a testing time, but a gruelling October fixture list could make or break his tenure.
Going into the international break, the Parkhead icon left question marks hanging around his future at the club after a bruising week that saw Rangers steamroller their rivals twice, with a dismal Europa League loss to Ferencvaros sandwiched at Celtic Park in between.
After CEO Michael Nicholson emphatically declared the Scottish champions are behind the 74-year-old, O'Neill has come out swinging - insisting he is now "extremely prepared" to lead the Glasgow giants forward.
Board and boss united
Despite his comments after the 1-0 defeat to Rangers, O'Neill brushed off the trio of defeats and declared they were "not the end of the world" as he looks to collect course when the Premiership emerges from cold storage.
With the board and boss united it appears everything is rosy in the Celtic Park garden - but that will only last for so long if the recent slump continues.
They are just two points ahead of Derek McInnes' men - and a win on Saturday against Kilmarnock would send O'Neill and his side second in the table before they have the chance to kick another ball.
Six high-pressure games
Despite his legendary status, there is only so long fans will be happy sitting behind their rivals and watch their team's form spiral out of control.
Here, Record Sport looks at the six high-pressure games O'Neill has in October to turn things around - and the breaking point that could emerge before Halloween.
Motherwell, Scottish Premiership (A) – 11/10
On paper, Motherwell looks like the perfect trip for O'Neill and his Celtic players to ease themselves back into after the international break. The Steelmen haven't picked up a league win since September 2 as boss Alfred Johansson attempts to steady the ship after the success of the Jens Berthel Askou era, with the Lanarkshire side sitting in eighth spot in the table. But Celtic fans know all too well how tricky a trip to Fir Park can be - having been pushed all the way by 'Well in the penultimate league game of last term with the title hanging in the balance, before a controversial late penalty decided the game.
Benfica, Europa League (A) – 15/10
The tests in Europe don't come much tougher for Celtic. While Lisbon and a trip to the Estádio Nacional is on the bucket list of many fans - 60 years on from the club's European Cup triumph in the city - a trip to the nearby Estadio da Luz may not be as welcoming. Benfica have sent a warning shot to Scottish clubs after smashing Hearts in a 7-2 aggregate win on route to the league phase - and Martin O'Neill can't afford a similar stumble. However, the hosts look set to be depleted after injuries to Polish playmaker Jakub Kaminski and Ukrainian midfielder Heorhiy Sudakov - meaning around £40million-worth of talent could be missing for Benfica.
Hearts and Celta Vigo tests
Hearts, Scottish Premiership (H) – 18/10
It's the first time Hearts have been back to Celtic Park since losing the Premiership title on the final day of last season in Glasgow's East End, and many of the Jambos' players will have revenge on their mind. The Gorgie men have proven to be no pushovers in the Tony Bloom era, and left Glasgow with a 2-1 win last December. A similar result this term would send pressure rocketing on O'Neill.
Celta Vigo, Europa League (H) – 22/10
The fixtures continue to come thick and fast for O'Neill and his Celtic side with Celta Vigo the next European side making the trip to Glasgow. The Spanish side have endured a tough start to their campaign - sitting mid-table in La Liga, while suffering a shock defeat to Omonoia in their first Europa League clash. It's unlikely the Parkhead boss can afford to add a second league phase loss on home turf to an unfancied side to his record this term after the chastening stumble against Ferencvaros.
Hibs and Dundee United round out the month
Hibs, Scottish Premiership (A) – 24/10
After a midweek clash in Europe, a trip to Easter Road wouldn't have been the fixture O'Neill was asking for when the Hoops return to domestic duties. But, it's the hand he has been dealt. New manager Marink Reedijk is in need of big results - and fast - with the club languishing in the lower reaches of the Premiership after the lacklustre end to David Gray's dugout tenure. Will the Dutchman get the infamous 'new manager bounce' - and will it keep going all the way to the Celtic clash?
Dundee United, Scottish Premiership (H) – 28/10
Jim Goodwin's side presents the last test of the month - and a Halloween horror show could push O'Neill and the Parkhead decision-makers to his breaking point. United have already taken points off Rangers this term, and will be looking to stun their rivals on home turf. Celtic can't afford to drop points with the title fight narrowing.
