Broony reckons Celtic’s season hinges on handling hectic schedule | OneFootball

Former Celtic skipper Scott Brown believes that his old club’s campaign hinges on how they juggle their European and domestic demands after the international break…

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill looks on during the Scottish Premiership 2026/27 match between Celtic and the Rangers at Celtic Park on September 20, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The heat is well and truly on Martin O’Neill and the players after three consecutive losses, and with a big run of fixtures laying in wait starting against Motherwell on 11th October, as well as a tough trip to Benfica, and a home tie with Celta Vigo sandwiched in between several tough domestic fixtures, Brown says that the international break is the ideal time to prepare for the gruelling schedule.

“Champions League, we would have loved to have been in that, but domestically, minus the Rangers games there, they’ve been winning games, and that’s all that really matters,” Brown said on The Breakdown podcast.

“This is probably the time it’s hard because it’s the international break and most of the lads are going away, playing with their country.

“But that might help as well, being away from the pressure, being away from the environment and Celtic Park and stuff like that, and letting everything calm down.

“Everyone just relax, you’re still top of the league, huge effort now from here until January, then start to look at recruitment (in the next window).”

Kieran Tierney of Celtic applauds fans after the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Celtic FC and Ferencvarosi TC at Celtic Park on September 17, 2026 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic must cram in eight European fixtures whilst having the disadvantage of playing after their Glasgow rivals, which will only benefit the Ibrox side who aren’t competing in European football.

“Rangers are going to play most Saturdays now, so Celtic are going to be playing catch-up,” Brown pointed out. “So when Celtic start to go Thursday-Sunday, Rangers will have that one-point advantage (before Celtic play) if they’re winning their games.

“But I’ve been on both sides of it and if Rangers make a mistake, you know you can go five points clear.

Mika Baur of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Camilo Duran during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Celtic FC and Ferencvarosi TC at Celtic Park on September 17, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“I thought that was a big thing with Celtic on Sunday. They knew they could have gone eight points clear. I thought psychologically that would have all but shut the league off already.”

Brown also urged a word of caution on those who are wanting a managerial change, and only have to look across the city to see how quickly things can change.

“Momentum’s everything,” he said. “You can see it in one week in football. Celtic were flying high, then they get beat from Rangers (in the Premier Sports Cup, beat in Europe and beat from Rangers again. And then it turns.

“Everybody wanted Del (McInnes) sacked, now everybody wants Martin out. Football, you can’t keep wanting everybody out every week.”

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

HAVE YOUR SAY – Join the Celtic conversation in our comments section below…

Celtic Shorts is the new home for the team from The Celtic Star

NEW FROM CELTIC STAR BOOKS…Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr, in two volumes, available now…

Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr. Both Volumes out now. Click to order at celticstarbooks.com

Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr, in two volumes, both published on 4th September 2026 by Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.

Quick Tip – Add Celticshorts.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!

Click to join Celtic Pools