December jeopardy is front loaded

I read the CQN Magazine article this morning on our December fixtures; eight games, seven in the league, with only one midweek off.  It has the look of a month which will go a long way to deciding the outcome of the title.

The awkward looking fixtures come at the start of the month.  Away to St Johnstone, home to Hibs and away to Kilmarnock.  We have played each of these teams before this season and have yet to win, drawing home to St Johnstone and at Hibs, while losing a League Cup tie at Kilmarnock.

Four of the remaining five games after that are at Celtic Park.  On paper, they are against more resourceful opponents, but there is less jeopardy in these games.  The Feyenoord game has only pride, coefficient points and cash on the line, while we recorded three goal wins earlier in the season over the next three opponents: Hearts, Livingston and Dundee.

The game against Newco at the end of the month is already attracting attention, but honestly, if we do what we need to do between now and then, that game will take care of itself.  It holds no fears whatsoever.

St Johnstone on Sunday, however?  That’s a bigger game that the one we played in Rome on Tuesday.  Win this game and see the confidence build.