Scotland’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Poland in Warsaw this evening brings to a close international football for this year and accordingly it’s back to club football this weekend with Celtic heading through to the capital to play Hearts in the Saturday night kick-off.

Andy Robertson celebrates — Andy Robertson of Scotland celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A1 match between Poland and Scotland at National Stadium on November 18, 2024 in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by Adam Nurkiewicz/Getty Images)

At stake are three vital points and with Aberdeen playing St Mirren in Paisley earlier in the day Celtic will need to match – or better – Jimmy Thelin’s side’s result in such a hostile environment as Tynecastle Stadium.

Then four days later Celtic’s attention turns back to the Champions League and it’s another huge game under the lights at Paradise with Belgium Champions Club Brugge the visitors. If Celtic can replicate the performance levels from the 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig then it could be a significant night for Brendan Rodgers and his side in the new Champions League format that the Hoops have taken to like a duck to water.

Nicolas Kuhn celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Nicolas Kuhn was unplayable for Celtic in the Champions League match against RB Leipzig, with individual sports stars him in this Celtic side, it’s no wonder Paradise is once again becoming a fortress in Champions League football. That’s three wins in a row in the East End of Glasgow for Brendan Rodgers’ side and it’s been a very long time since that last happened.

FC Brugge in the Champions League

The night before Celtic take on FC Brugge in the Champions League, Aberdeen have an away Scottish Premiership fixture against bottom placed Hibs at Easter Road. That could give Jimmy Thelin’s team the chance to open a points advantage on Celtic.

: Celtic v RB Leipzig – UEFA Champions League – League Stage – Celtic Park (back to front, left to right) Celtic’s Nicolas Kuhn, Auston Trusty, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Arne Engels, Alistair Johnston, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, Daizen Maeda, Greg Taylor, Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi before the UEFA Champions League, league stage match at Celtic Park, on Tuesday November 5, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

Celtic then see out November on Saturday 30th with a home match against Ross County, a day before Aberdeen are back in Edinburgh for their own match at Tynecastle against Hearts. That’s two incredibly tough fixtures for Aberdeen ahead of playing hosts to Celtic at Pittodrie on Wednesday evening, 4th December. By the end of that match we should have a better idea if the Aberdeen title challenge is going to go the distance and not just an early season flourish that inevitably runs its course.

Premier Sports Cup Final

After the game against Celtic, Aberdeen have another home match at Pittodrie against St Johnstone on Saturday 7th December before having a few weeks break, returning to play Hibs this time at Pittodrie on 21st December.

Celtic support at Pittodrie — Aberdeen v Celtic Cinch Scottish Premiership 03-02-2024. Aberdeen and Celtic fans during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen, Scotland on 3 February 2024. Photo Stephen Dobson PSI

Celtic after visiting Pittodrie continue to challenge on three fronts this side of Christmas. Hibs visit Celtic Park on Saturday 7th December in the Scottish Premiership, then Celtic are in Maksimir to play Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Tuesday 10th December ahead of the Premier Sports Cup Final at Hampden Park against theRangers on Sunday 15 December. Celtic’s last match before Christmas is a trip to Tannadice to take on Dundee United on Sunday 22nd December.

Celtic’s Christmas Dream

If Celtic can win all these matches – and it’s far from being a mission impossible then Champions League qualification to the play-off round will be guaranteed and there will be a tantalising prospect of going straight through to the knock-out rounds in January. The Premier Sports Cup will be back in Paradise to complete the set and Celtic will be top of the league looking down on Aberdeen in second place.

Nicolas Kuhn's first Celtic goal — Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic scores. Aberdeen v Celtic, Scottish Premiership,Pittodrie, 3rd February 2024 photo Mark Runnacles Shutterstock

That would make for a very Merry Christmas indeed for Celtic supporters who could ask for no more, well maybe copies of Matt Corr’s outstanding new books Celtic in the Thirties, Volumes One and Two, available from the Celtic Superstore and via Celtic Star Books.

Matt Corr’s wonderful new books, Celtic in the Thirties, Volumes One & Two are both out now on Celtic Star Books and you can order a signed copies by clicking on the links below…