Brendan Rodgers knows better than to take anything for granted when Celtic visit Ross County on Wednesday night.
The Irishman leaves nothing to chance and will give the highland side the same attention as the upcoming matches against Aberdeen and Borussia Monchengladbach.
Jim McIntyre’s side go into the match on the back of snatching a point from Partick Thistle on Saturday thanks to a stoppage time goal from Chris Burke.
Rodgers will have had that game watched and analysed as he balances up the demands of his opponents with the options within his own squad.
Although the mantra remains one game at a time three games within seven days is a lot for any player to absorb- especially when that short sharp programme is followed by a Champions League trip to Germany.
After the win over Sevco on Sunday Rodgers highlighted the contribution of two substitutes dropping a strong hint that Leigh Griffiths and Stuart Armstrong are getting closer to a starting slot.
The midweek trip to the highlands will be a whole new experience for Rodgers, so far he’s taken each challenge in his stride.
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CRAIG GORDON
Wasn’t troubled at Hampden by Sevco’s lightweight ‘attack’ and appears to have shaken off the early season nerves that led to the introduction of Dorus de Vries.
Building a rapport with the central defence is crucial for a keeper’s confidence with Erik Sviatchenko, Jozo Simunovic and Kolo Toure all appearing to be talkers.
Another clean sheet should do Gordon’s confidence the world of good as he begins to put together an impressive domestic run.
MIKEL LUSTIG
Rodgers could be strongly tempted to bring in Cristian Gamboa but is likely to start the match with the Swede and introduce the former West Brom man if things are going well.
Lustig has come strongly onto a game over the last month, focussing on the defensive side of his game with James Forrest having licence to push forward down the right wing.
With his height useful at both ends of the park at set-pieces Lustig can be a big influence on the
JOZO SIMUNOVIC
The big defender finally arrived as a Celtic player on Sunday, nothing too showy but steady and reliable as managers like their centre half’s.
Simunovic played the game mainly in his head and rarely had to impose himself physically.
His willingness to take the ball from Craig Gordon was obvious, as he grows into the side it seems that his influence on the team will grow and grow. The more games he gets the better.
ERIK SVIATCHENKO
In less than a year he has become the most experienced defender in Rodgers first team plans, and a potential future captain.
Whether it’s with Kolo Toure or Jozo Simunovic he is able to adapt his game to ensure a form of continuity and stability.
As he demonstrated with his ‘goal’ at Hampden his influence isn’t just in his own penalty box, hopefully Alan Muir will allow goals to stand rather than mysteriously disallow them.
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KIERAN TIERNEY
Hasn’t quite been at his best in the last two matches but his average performances are more than satisfactory!
It’s difficult to remember that he is still a teenager but having come through the ranks at Celtic he knows more than anyone the demands and expectations from winter nights in Dingwall.
His total commitment is guaranteed, as his game develops with experience Celtic fans will revel in his continuing development. Expect great things from the bhoy from Wishaw, who doesn’t know how to give less than 100%.
SCOTT BROWN
What more needs to be said about the skipper?
On Sunday he turned in as domineering a performance as you are likely to see in a semi-final.
No ball was beyond him, he used his physique perfectly with Sevco players bouncing off him in 50-50 challenges.
Whether it’s experience, a new manager or international retirement there can be little doubt that Brown is in the best form of his Celtic career.
STUART ARMSTRONG
After his substitute appearances against Borussia Monchengladbach and Sevco the former Dundee United man couldn’t have did anything more to get a starting place.
Restored to his preferred role in central midfield he looks a totally different player to the one that filled in as a left midfielder under Ronny Deila.
Armstrong has responded as Rodgers would have required after drifting out the team, getting in and retaining a place will be his next target.
PATRICK ROBERTS
Victoria Park Dingwall doesn’t seem like a venue to relaunch a career but Roberts needs to take every chance he gets.
Like Leigh Griffiths he found himself unable to get back into the team after injury with James Forrest finding the form of his life after getting his chance.
There’s no doubting Roberts ability, getting back to top form will be welcomed by Rodgers as he prepares for a very hectic period before the January break.
TOM ROGIC
His ability is unquestionable, his fitness a mystery.
For 70 minutes Rogic can match the best of them but the final 20 seems a step too far.
At Hampden on Saturday, barring a gift from Matt Gilks, he was in inspired form, driving forward at every opportunity linking in well with his three attacking colleagues.
His shooting was a little out on Sunday but that’s an exception with his goal ratio highly impressive. More of the same please, and 90 minutes as a bonus.
SCOTT SINCLAIR’
He’ll never get closer to scoring than on Sunday, hopefully Ross County are on the receiving end of the law of averages.
There was no real fanfare or expectations when he was signed from Aston Villa but from the moment he burst through the Hearts defence to score at Tynecastle there has been no doubting his ability or intentions.
Sinclair has more than justified Brendan Rodgers faith, after getting off to a flyer it’s great to know that he is only likely to get better and better.
LEIGH GRIFFITHS
For a number of reasons it makes sense to give Griffiths a starting berth.
He demonstrated at Hampden that he is as sharp as ever, with the spotlight on him at club and international level Griffiths will be desperate to impress and state his case.
Giving Moussa Dembele a break is hardly a risk with Griffiths stepping in to the striking role, only a fool would bet against him finding the net given a starting slot.