Celtic Fixture Run Looks Brutal: Seven Huge Games That Could Define the Season

Celtic’s fixture run after the two Saints games could become one of the defining periods of the entire season.

First come difficult away trips to St Mirren and St Johnstone. However, what follows is a remarkable sequence of matches across Scotland and Europe.

After St Johnstone, Celtic face seven huge games across just 40 calendar days — just under six weeks.

Celtic fixture run begins with Ibrox-Europe-Ibrox

It starts on September 13 with a Premier Sports Cup trip to face the Ibrox club.

Four days later, Ferencváros arrive at Celtic Park for Celtic’s opening Europa League league-phase match.

Then, just three days after that, the Ibrox club visit Celtic Park in the Premiership.

That means Martin O’Neill’s side face the Ibrox club twice, with a European match sandwiched between them, in only eight days.

Those three matches alone could have a significant impact on Celtic’s season.

There is then an international break, but the schedule becomes ferocious again immediately afterwards.

Celtic fixture run gets even tougher in October

Celtic travel to Motherwell on October 10. That is no straightforward domestic fixture.

Motherwell have started the league strongly, taking eight points from their opening four games, including an impressive 3-0 victory over Dundee United.

Five days later comes Benfica away in the Europa League.

Then Celtic face Hearts at home before Celta Vigo arrive at Celtic Park on October 22.

That is Motherwell, Benfica, Hearts and Celta Vigo across a 13-day spell.

Look at the overall opposition: the Ibrox club twice, Ferencváros, Motherwell, Benfica, Hearts and Celta Vigo.

There are cup implications, league implications and European implications everywhere.

Squad depth will be tested. Rotation will be essential. Most importantly, Celtic desperately need to avoid another damaging collection of injuries.

Come through this run strongly and Celtic could emerge in an extremely powerful position.

Struggle through it, however, and the consequences could be felt across several competitions.

This really does look like the first season-defining stretch of Celtic’s campaign.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Seven major matches across 40 calendar days after the two Saints fixtures.
• The Ibrox club twice in eight days, with Ferencváros sandwiched between.
• Motherwell, Benfica, Hearts and Celta Vigo then arrive across just 13 days.
• Injuries and squad depth could become absolutely crucial.