A WEEK ago today, Neil Lennon was putting together his first Celtic line-up in four and a half years as he prepared the team for the difficult Premiership tussle against Hearts at Tynecastle.
Seven days on, the interim manager is enjoying a midweek break which will give him the precious time to work with the players and check on injuries.
Lennon will also welcome the news there will be no midweek fixtures following the Premiership split with the final five games scheduled for weekends.
At the moment, as he gets his thoughts together for what is sure to be a rousing second homecoming at a 60,000 sell-out at Parkhead on Saturday with Aberdeen providing the opposition, the Irishman can plan ahead.
Celtic players are enjoying a rare Wednesday or Thursday off after a hectic schedule since the return from the winter break.
In rapid succession, the Hoops have taken on St Mirren, St Johnstone, Hibs, Valencia (twice) and Hearts in midweek confrontations.
COMEBACK BHOY? Ryan Christie battling to face Dons.
Crocked duo Ryan Christie and Callum McGregor, who have missed Lennon’s two wins against the Edinburgh outfits, will be given every chance to at least make the squad against the Dons.
Olivier Ntcham could also come into contention while Tom Rogic, who hasn’t played a club game this year after returning from international duty with Australia with a knee problem, will be hoping to come back before the split.
Celtic will play their last scheduled Wednesday game against St Mirren in Paisley on April 3 and the focus should be on weekends after that confrontation.
The first date of the split will be Saturday, April 20 and continue every week until the final weekend of the season on May 18/19.
It means the last five rounds of fixtures of the season all take place on either a Saturday or Sunday, with the biggest move most likely to be a potential Friday night fixture for TV.
The final weekend of the season will continue as usual, with the bottom half’s last game taking place on Saturday, May 18, and the top half 24 hours later with all having the same kick-off times.
COMEBACK BHOY? Callum McGregor has missed Neil Lennon’s two wins over Hearts and Hibs.
The current top six is made up of Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock, Hearts and Hibs.
FULL DATES:
Premiership Game 34: April 20
Game 35: April 27
Game 36: May 4
Game 37: May 11
Game 38: May 18/19.
