With nine matches to be completed before the new year Brendan Rodgers will be delving deeply into his squad to navigate his way through the packed calendar.
As he showed with the recent trip to Ross County the Celtic boss isn’t afraid to make changes with eight players brought in for that match and full points picked up.
Keeping players match fit is usually a big obstacle when a squad is rotated but so far Rodgers seems to have managed to keep his side winning regardless of changes.
Although the game at Manchester City is largely of academic interest only there’s little doubt that Celtic will be be at full strength.
Champions League matches don’t come along too often with Rodgers certain to be looking closely at how his players handle the occasion.
Double headers against Hamilton and Partick Thistle will give ‘fringe’ players the opportunity to shine and prove to their manager that they have a future with the January transfer window about to open up.
Will anyone take their opportunity to come in and make a place their own in the way that James Forrest has?
GARY MACKAY-STEVEN
Came in from the cold to get a place on the bench against Aberdeen in the Betfred Cup Final- picking up a winners medal without kicking a ball in earnest.
From his recent comments it seems that Rodgers has been impressed by the former Dundee United winger in training.
With Patrick Roberts returning to Manchester City at the end of the season there is an opportunity for Mackay-Steven to play his way into a future at Celtic.
LIAM HENDERSON
Has had a couple of bursts of action under Rodgers but will be worried about missing out on a place on the bench against Aberdeen at Hampden.
There has been glimpses of the ability that earned him a debut at 17 years of age but too often he appears to be trying too hard to impress.
After playing against Motherwell earlier in the season he said that he’d been out on loan enough- perhaps it might take a high profile loan move to turn him into a Celtic first team player?
RYAN CHRISTIE
Made the starting line-up for the first competitive game of the season away to Lincoln Red Imps but has had little in the way of first team action since- being listed as a substitute has become a rarity as well.
With Tom Rogic’s fitness problems Christie could get a game or two this month but really needs to get involved and lay down a marker.
Having had less than an hour of first team action since the end of September he’ll know better than anyone that he needs to make things happen this month
DEDRYCK BOYATA
Came in out of the blue to the substitute bench away to Borussia Monchengladbach then got 90 minutes on the plastic at Kilmarnock.
With his profile from Manchester City there should be some interest in the January transfer window. At Celtic he is behind Sviatchenko, Simunovic, Toure and Lustig for a central defensive place in the team.
It would need to be exceptional circumstances and exceptional performances to bring him in from the cold but stranger things have happened.
CRISTIAN GAMBOA
Has still to put in a big memorable performance but is making some in roads towards the first team- and getting the best out of Mikael Lustig.
As a Rodgers signing he is certain to get his chance, his main attribute seems to be his pace and ability to get forward.
With such a heavy schedule of fixtures he’s likely to get a couple of outings and is realistically playing himself into place for next season.