Celtic’s post-split fixtures and the significance of Rugby Park

It was always going to be a tough round of fixtures as you’re playing the best sides in the league, but on the whole we can be rather happy with the way it’s panned out.

Dundee away is a decent game to kick off the round of games. It could have been Killie away so a game against the Dark Blues at Dens is got to be seen as more favourable.

Next up is Hearts at home, and despite us losing our last two fixtures against the Jam Tarts we will be a different side in this game with the league title up for grabs.

Then after we play Stevie Naismith’s side it’s the final Glasgow derby of this season’s Scottish Premiership campaign. With the entire stadium behind us and the chance to all but clinch the title, it’s obviously the most important match in this round of fixtures. We’re at home, with the title up for grabs so we’ve got to strongly fancy our chances in this one.

The penultimate game is arguable the toughest of them all depending on our position heading into it, and that of course is Kilmarnock away on a Wednesday evening. If we head into that game with the title in the line, then it’s going to be on helluva tough task considering our struggles against the Ayrshire side. Especially at Rugby Park this season.

However we could be going to Rugby Park knowing that three points down there could win us the title. Tickets will be like goal dust for that one!

Our season comes to a close with a favourable home match against St Mirren who travel to Paradise for the third time this campaign. Being at home for a game that could still be meaningful in the destination of the title is a huge plus.

So we can’t really grumble about the final round of fixtures, as it’s surprisingly been kind to us. However we have to make sure we take full advantage of this opportunity and make it count by ensuring the league trophy stays at Celtic Park.

We have three home matches and just two away. We start at Dens Park and if we take care of business there   we are left with three matches at Celtic Park and just one away trip to Kilmarnock to negotiate on the road to the title.  So the chances are if we maintain our current form then we could win the league at Celtic Park, which would be nice.

But my money is on Rugby Park for a title party. If that’s on then surely they can give us two stands rather than play the game in front of the empty seats?