It seems like an age since Celtic played on home soil – since beating Motherwell 2-0 a lot of water, and success, has flowed under the bridge.
Trips to Hampden, Dingwall, Aberdeen and Monchengladbach have mainly been successfully negotiated, with Brendan Rodgers’ team progressing on all fronts.
Since the last home match, Kieran Tierney has been lost to injury but the signs are there that the team is close to top form ahead of a hectic period leading up to the winter break.
Last week’s 1-0 win away to Aberdeen put some clear blue sky between the Bhoys and Derek McInnes’ side although the number of chances missed was a concern – but there is little to be worried about when you sit nine points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand over the pack.
As he showed away to Ross County, Brendan Rodgers isn’t afraid to make changes with the Hoops boss confident about the depth and quality of his squad.
Inverness Caley Thistle are rarely pleasing on the eye but as the only Scottish club to take anything from Celtic this season, Rodgers will be keen to go into another international break without dropping any more points.
I’m not anticipating too many fireworks against Richie Foran’s side but this Celtic XI will comfortably see off the highlands side while the chasing pack fall over each other in the contrived battle for second place.
CRAIG GORDON
What a difference a glove rival makes? Since regaining his place in the team from Dorus de Vries, Gordon has looked more like the steady and reliable influence that replaced Fraser Forster.
Against Gladbach on Tuesday night he produced a couple of timely saves, imposing himself on the defence and spreading confidence in the process.
If he can cut out the ill-timed runs outside of his box and launch the ball long when a pass isn’t on everyone will be much happier.
CRISTIAN GAMBOA
Slowly but surely coming into the picture, the former West Brom defender clearly has the confidence of his new manager.
In the flashes that we’ve seen of him so far his strength seems to be overlapping down the wing with his defensive ability still yet to be truly tested.
Inverness Caley Thistle are unlikely to change that state of affairs with Gamboa looking to enjoy a rare home appearance – six of his seven matches to date have been away from Celtic Park.
ERIK SVIATCHENKO
The steadying hand at the back and first pick for the manager. Game by game he is becoming more of an influence with a style of play that is exactly to his new gaffer’s liking.
Erik will be looking for a relatively quiet afternoon before the international break, having played with Jozo Simunovic and Mikael Lustig in the last two matches he’ll be ready for anything on Saturday. Another domestic clean sheet will be the target for all at the back.
JOZO SIMUNOVIC
His absence from the squad against Monchengladbach was a concern which can hopefully be reduced by a return to action on Saturday.
After last season’s injury blighted term the former Dinamo Zagreb defender really needs to put together a strong run of matches.
According to Brendan Rodgers, playing twice a week is currently out of the question, but hopefully, by the turn of the year, Jozo will be up to speed with his new team-mates and getting his Celtic career fully underway.
EMILIO IZAGUIRRE
The Green Brigade will be pleased to see the return of one of their favourites although Izzy is as upset as anyone about Kieran Tierney’s injury.
With Tierney out for two months, he has a great chance to put himself in the shop window for a summer move – and add to his impressive medal collection.
It’ll be interesting to see if his game changes under the Rodgers’ influence, as with Scott Sinclair in front of him there is less requirement for those trademark charges down the left flank.
SCOTT BROWN
The skipper continues to go from strength to strength, topping various UEFA stats in the Champions League.
Whatever the occasion and whoever the opponents are, it doesn’t matter to Broony as he drives himself and the team on to new heights.
It really has been a massive boost for Rodgers to find Brown in the form of his life, and with a packed fixture list until the turn of the year the Fifer will be going full pelt into every match – it’s the only way that he knows to play the game.
STUART ARMSTRONG
He went into the Monchengladbach match with the praise of his manager ringing in his ears – but that carried no currency with the Germans.
It was a tough night for the midfielder but a great learning experience nonetheless. Playing against Bundesliga pros is a world away from SPFL opponents but after getting 90 minutes against Gladbach, Armstrong knows exactly the standard required.
With the will to work, listen and learn, Armstrong is setting off on a critical part of his Celtic career.
PATRICK ROBERTS
The pint-sized winger made a big impression during his 30-minute stint against Monchengladbach, and, like Armstrong, it seems that he has now done enough to convince Rodgers that he is worth a starting place.
Mixing his natural ability in with the team unit is the big task but the passes he pinged through to Moussa Dembele and Callum McGregor are exactly what every manager, coach and scout is searching for.
With two Champions League ties coming up either side of a cup final the next six weeks it seems that Roberts’ timing is as accurate as Tuesday night’s precision passes.
TOM ROGIC
Last Saturday’s match-winner is still struggling to get through 90 minutes but provides more than enough over 70 minutes to keep his manager happy.
Rodgers must love the development potential in the Australian, whose goal at Aberdeen was of the highest calibre.
Having sorted out his contract there are exciting times ahead for the late developer with Rodgers determined to ensure Celtic get the maximum return.
SCOTT SINCLAIR
If there is any justice in the game Sinclair will leave the pitch on Saturday clutching the match ball after notching a hat-trick.
Despite scoring a late goal as a substitute away to Ross County he has been on the end of some horrendous luck in front of goal over the last couple of matches.
These runs don’t last forever, and since escaping from Aston Villa he has been in fantastic form and is likely to carry the biggest threat to the Inverness Caley Thistle goal.
MOUSSA DEMBELE
The man of the moment proved on Tuesday night that he has the nerve as well as the ability to go to the very top.
After being fouled he took his time, grabbed the ball then dispatched it into the net from that three step run up that terrifies supporters.
With one more shift before an international break, the former Fulham man will be looking to continue his scoring streak as he prepares for a busy spell that involves a domestic cup final and clashes with Barcelona and Manchester City.
