Celtic’s 0-0 draw at Motherwell seems like a lifetime ago but three wins over eight days can send the hoops into the semi-final of the Scottish Cup with the Premiership title virtually wrapped up.
Brendan Rodgers will have half an eye on the matches against Dundee and Hamilton Accies when he selects his team to face Ross County while checking on the fitness of his international contingent.
Forcing his hand in defence is the absences of Jozo Simunovic (suspended) and Kieran Tierney (injury) but that is more than compensated for with the anticipation of seeing Kris Ajer and Jack Hendry paired together.
For the first time this year there is real competition for places with three strikers available for selection although Moussa Dembele is clearly the man in possession.
At Ibrox the strength of the Celtic bench sent out a message with the good news being that the squad is getting stronger week by week.
With the injury problems receding Rodgers can now concentrate of players and formations which can only be good news as the Celtic support look for their favourites to tie up the title in style.
SCOTT BAIN
A home debut for the keeper although he has played a number of times at Celtic Park for Dundee.
Ninety minutes at Ibrox as transformed his prospects which will be good news for his agent as they consider contract options at the end of the season.
He will have to step aside for Craig Gordon against Dundee in midweek, it’ll then be interesting to see if the Scotland keeper retains his place on the plastic pitch at Hamilton before Brendan Rodgers names his side for the Scottish Cup semi final against Sevco at Hampden.
MIKAEL LUSTIG
A sending off at Aberdeen and suspension for Ibrox has put his place under threat with Jack Hendry preferred in the 0-0 draw at Motherwell.
Hendry doesn’t carry the same attacking threat as the Swede but Lustig will know that he has to rediscover last season’s form if he is to go to the World Cup as Celtic’s first choice right-back.
He has come through injury problems in the past but this time his place is under threat due to form, something that he has an element of control over.
JACK HENDRY
The last 12 months have witnessed an incredible turn around in his fortunes, from being out of the picture on loan at MK Dons to starring for Celtic and Scotland.
Brendan Rodgers picked up on the defenders development very early this season and finally matched Dundee’s £1m plus asking fee on the final day of the transfer window.
A run at centre half would be the perfect ending to a dream season, a partnership with Kris Ajer holds lots of promise.
KRIS AJER
A year ago he was finding his feet at Kilmarnock, now he is making huge strides at club and international level.
Apart from a minor wobble away to Partick Thistle there has barely been a dip in the form of the Norwegian teenager.
If it wasn’t for Kieran Tierney, Ajer would be sweeping the boards with the Young Player of the Year awards.
MARVIN COMPPER
In December his signing was greeted as the solution to all of Celtic’s defensive problems but a few months later it looks like he has an uphill task getting a place in the hoops backline.
Since the experienced German was signed Kris Ajer’s development has accelerated while Jack Hendry hasn’t looked out of place at Pittodrie, Ibrox or on international duty.
Compper made a nervy debut against Morton in the Scottish Cup, with that behind him he can step in for Kieran Tierney and get a real feel for what is involved in playing for Celtic.
SCOTT BROWN
Man of the moment in the never dull life of the Celtic skipper.
After retiring from international football he was slaughtered for Cedric Kipre’s sending off for Motherwell but it’s all water off the back for this experienced duck.
He knows what is ahead of the team over the next two months, no one will be putting in more effort or leading by example more than Broony.
OLIVIER NTCHAM
Now faces some serious competition for his place with Callum McGregor joined by Stuart Armstrong in the queue for a place alongside Scott Brown. Celtic also have Eboue Kouassi for that role.
Ntcham was outstanding in the 3-2 win at Ibrox but will be required to fill a more expansive role with Ross County likely to park the bus.
Over the course of the season his quality has become more obvious, he’ll be relishing the chance to complete his first season at the club driving towards a treble.
PATRICK ROBERTS
Is entering the final weeks of his Celtic stay after having the guts of his loan spell ruined by injury.
Celtic haven’t suffered due to the excellence of James Forrrest but Roberts brand of trickery offers something different down the right flank.
It has been a frustrating year for the on loan Manchester City kid but this time last year he was running into top form- playing a brand of football than no-one in Scotland can live with.
TOM ROGIC
Was the main attacking threat at Motherwell and was a real thorn in Sevco’s side until he was sacrificed following the red card issued to Jozo Simunovic.
After missing a significant part of the season he looks in the mood for catching up with lost time and is the best suited scorer at the club to play in behind the main striker.
Few players in the Celtic team share his ability for long range shooting, with Ross County likely to pack out their defence it might take a Rogic Special to unlock things.
SCOTT SINCLAIR
If it wasn’t for the calf injury to Kieran Tierney it’s highly unlikely that Sinclair would have been considered to start this match.
Brendan Rodgers has complete faith in the former Aston Villa man but it’s telling that in the bigger matches since the turn of the year he has been left out of the starting XI.
The prizes are about to be handed out, Sinclair won’t be in line for any personal honours but can still play a match winning role in delivering a second treble for his old Swansea boss.
MOUSSA DEMBELE
It seems that the questions over his fitness and attitude were all resolved when he sent Hugh Burns into meltdown equalising at Ibrox.
Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths are both hungry for a chance but right now it’s the in-form former Fulham striker that has possession of the jersey.
His stats don’t match up with last season but he missed out on the run in last season- this term he can make a telling contribution and will look on Ross County as a side that can help him goal tally.