To be absolutely correct Celtic need 10 points to lift the title but three wins should be enough with the hoops being 28 goals better off than Aberdeen. If the first post split fixture sees Derek McInnes’ side visit Glasgow the issue could be put beyond doubt.
Brendan Rodgers won’t be worrying too much about how Aberdeen fare away to Motherwell and Hearts this week as he prepares his side to meet Dundee and Hearts ahead of the split.
Full points from those two matches will send Celtic to Hampden in high spirits with a squad coming back to fitness and full of options.
In the modern game there is no such thing as a first choice XI with Rodgers having plenty to contemplate for the visit of Dundee.
Scott Bain won’t be available which could open the door for Craig Gordon’s return from injury with equal interest in the centre of defence.
Dedryck Boyata has been the long term first pick but was substituted by Jack Hendry against Ross County, a move that few fans complained about.
With a double treble within touching distance Rodgers will be delighted with the options he has as he seeks to write another chapter in the club’s rich history.
CRAIG GORDON
Seems to have been in full training for the last fortnight after suffering knee ligament damage against Hibs at the end of January.
Dundee are unlikely to provide too much of a threat with a match on the grass of Celtic Park preferable to the plastic of Hamilton on Sunday.
Scott Bain looks like providing a real challenge for the gloves, if it pushes Gordon to a higher level then it’s win win.
MIKAEL LUSTIG
Another of the Invincibles who is under serious threat this season with Jack Hendry an option at right-back as well as the possibility of playing a back three.
Lustig at his best is a great asset to the side and provides good balance to Kieran Tierney down the other flank.
He has the know how and experience to make a big contribution in the final weeks of the season but if he doesn’t recapture top form soon his appearances could be limited.
KRIS AJER
If it wasn’t for Kieran Tierney he’d be the runaway winner of the Young Player of the Year awards.
Nothing has fazed the Norwegian teenager regardless of who he is playing alongside as he emerges as the first choice central defender.
The coming weeks will test him further but he is barely recognisable from the player that struggled away to Astana early in the season.
JACK HENDRY
Will enjoy a joust against his old side but if selected it will be a significant landmark.
Hendry replaced Dedryck Boyata at half time against Ross County and continued to impress, playing the game in the manner that his manager directs.
It is unfortunate that he is cup-tied but the upside is that he can give everything to the SPFL as the title comes into view.
KIERAN TIERNEY
Has missed the last two matches due to a calf injury but it doesn’t appear to be too serious.
His enthusiasm for the game, and the jersey is enough to see him excel despite an extensive fixture list for club and country.
Callum McGregor was a highly adequate back-up against Ross County but looking ahead to Hampden in the Scottish Cup having KT at full fitness will be a great asset.
OLIVIER NTCHAM
Hadn’t done much wrong, he was exceptional at Ibrox but now finds a fully fit Stuart Armstrong now competing for a place in midfield.
Stepping in for Scott Brown isn’t an east task but the French u-21 internationalist has been making progress all season.
Rodgers now has incredible competition for places, especially in midfield with a limited form of rotation needed to keep everyone sharp.
STUART ARMSTRONG
Welcome back! Looked like his real self against Ross County with his best performance of the season.
His contract situation is bound to be ticking away in the background but it’s clearly an issue that he isn’t prepared to comment on.
His ability to get into the penalty box is priceless, there’s likely to be a few more goals to follow on from his strike on Saturday.
JAMES FORREST
Still has the edge over Patrick Roberts but there is noting like competition for places to bring out the best in players.
At home against a bottom six side his pace is a great asset with a goal threat added in this season.
Forrest is an old hand in these situations, he knows exactly what is needed to break down packed defences and is enjoying his best ever season.
TOM ROGIC
There is an awful lot of love around for the goalscoring midfielder even though like Armstrong there is a question mark over contract negotiations.
Over the last month he has worked his way back into the side and proven himself as the player most suited to play in the attacking midfield role.
He has all the skills needed for the specialist role of playing behind the main striker with the big match goal record that makes him a first pick- when fit.
SCOTT SINCLAIR
Looked more like his old self against Ross County and took more than his share of brutal foul play with little protection from the officials.
His statement last week left little wriggle room for a departure with his current manager understanding his ability better than any previous boss.
Getting the same output from Sinclair on the left as we’ve had from Forrest on the right can make for a very exciting and successful end to the season.
MOUSSA DEMBELE
Starting to rack up the goals again and won’t be bothered if they are coming from the penalty spot of elsewhere.
When he is on top form he brings a real edge to the side, as he demonstrated with his goal at Ibrox he has a physique and finishing ability that no club in Scotland can cope with.
There are a multitide of reasons for him to hit top form in the closing weeks of the season, all that matters for the Celtic support is that he completes the season as a treble winner, again.