Three tough but winnable games, window closing then the review

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The Celtic Star

·22 de agosto de 2025

Three tough but winnable games, window closing then the review

The start of three tough fixtures starts tomorrow. They’re all tough but also winnable and then we’ll watch the window closing before assessing where we are at as a football club…

Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Celtic and Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park on August 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Tomorrow sees us return to domestic action and the start of a run of three very tough fixtures.

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Celtic Park will be the setting as we host newly promoted Livingston who have had a terrific start to the season thus far, and it’s a game that will undoubtedly prove to be difficult especially after our midweek excursions which left us not only physically drained, but emotionally too after such a disappointing result and dreadful performance from the team.

Livingston will set up much like Kairat

Livingston will set up much like Kairat, and it will be yet another tough gig for our already under the microscope attackers. It goes without saying that we need a positive result, and performance if we’re being picky, as we bid to head to Kazakhstan in a positive frame of mind, with a place in the champions league group stages fully up for grabs.

Luke McCowan of Celtic celebrates scoring to give Celtic a 1-0 lead. Celtic v St Mirren, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, Glasgow, 3 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace, IMAGO / Shutterstock (The Celtic Star)

Brendan will make changes with Tuesday night in mind so we can expect to see starts for Dane Murray, Auston Trusty, Luke McCowan, Paulo Bernardo, Johnny Kenny and maybe a few more coming in.

Next up after the long and gruelling 7000 mile round trip to Almaty is the small matter of a Glasgow Derby as we travel across the city to Ibrox in a game that is ever so vital despite it being so early in the campaign.

David Martindale, Head Coach of Livingston, looks on prior to the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Livingston FC at on December 21, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Tomorrow David Martindale will have his side set up to frustrate Celtic and will be looking to get the support on the players’ backs. Celtic opted not to postpone this match so can have no complaints having passed up on the opportunity.

Kairat will play the same way that thy did at Celtic Park and look to benefit from some quick transitions but essentially they all be looking at maintaining their defensive shape and keeping Celtic out. So in that regard Livingston are the perfect opponents for Celtic tomorrow.

Luke McCowan and Yang could be crucial players in these three games

One player who could force his way into the manager’s plans for the Champions League play-off is Luke McCowan, his cleverness around the edge of the area and eye for goal – as we saw against St Mirren – could be crucial in breaking the deadlock.

Yang too has forced his way into the manager’s plans so he may start tomorrow before being replaced by James Forrest, again with Tuesday in mind.

Kieran Tierney of Celtic reacts during the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Celtic and Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park on August 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

All three games are very much winnable matches for Celtic, and we must have full belief that we can do just that. These are the last three matches before the transfer window closes with tomorrow being the last home match before the Celtic Board – who are now looking at bringing in four players – are going to be judged.

Peter Lawwell, Michael Nicholson and Christopher McKay watch on as Celtic draw 0-0 with Kairat at Celtic Park in the UEFA Champions League play-off match, worth over £40m to the winners.

Let’s get the three points tomorrow then we can focus on Tuesday night’s £40m showdown against a team that Celtic should have already dealt with in midweek had the moneymen done their jobs.

Celtic 0-0 Kairat Almaty. Celtic s Champions League hopes hang very much in the balance after they were held to a goalless draw in Glasgow by Kazakh side Kairat. Photo Kenny Ramsay. IMAGO / News Licensing

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