FOR a manager, regular international breaks can be the bane of an already-stressful life.

The two-week hiatus while country comes before club can disrupt momentum and leave bosses to pick up the pieces when confidence and limbs have taken a battering.

Of course, such breaks can also provide much-needed respite for those who have been feeling the strain, and even provide a fillip if players help their country to good results in their quest for qualification for the Euro 2016 Championships, African Cup of Nations or any other global competition.

But it will be later this week before Ronny Deila discovers which of the above is most applicable to his squad.

Today more than a dozen Celtic's first-team players will arrive back in Glasgow from all over Europe and beyond after concluding their national service for this month.

For the Hoops boss himself, the break has provided an important opportunity for introspection, coming as it did 17 games into his time as the man trying to lead his side to success on several fronts.

The bitter disappointment of missing out on the chance to participate in the Champions League has been offset, albeit only slightly, by the decent start Celtic have made in the Europa League.

Domestically, though, they are making much heavier weather of their defence of the SPFL title, with the defeat at home to Hamilton being the worst possible sign-off for the champions before the squad split for two weeks.

Deila has gone on record as stating Celtic will win the title for a fourth successive season.

Given their vastly superior resources, the bookies, and most others, would be loath to disagree. But was it a wise move for the manager to make such a statement when it is clear from their results that he needs his players to give more?

No one at the club can be satisfied at seeing the Hoops sitting in sixth place, having already surrendered 10 points in their first eight fixtures.

Sure, Deila is entitled to identify the heavy schedule his players have faced as a reason for their inconsistent form.

But with the depth of squad at his disposal, this mitigation does not sit well with many of the supporters who have had to suffer while watching the likes of Hamilton, Motherwell and Maribor leave Celtic Park with more than might previously have been within their reach.

Fast approaching a third of the season gone, it is a pivotal time for the man who took Neil Lennon's place in the dugout.

Deila has to show he can find consistency in terms of form, team selection and, most importantly, results.

His team simply has no more wiggle room as they approach a crucial four weeks before the next international break.

In that time they will play seven vital matches, starting with this weekend's long trip to face Ross County.

BEFORE they travel to Aberdeen on November 9 the Celts will also play a Europa double-header against Astra and a League Cup tie at home to Partick Thistle.

The return of a clutch of the players who have been out injured will be a bonus.

Deila will also hope those who have been required to shoulder most of the burden in their absence will also be re-energised after two weeks away from the front line.

At the same time, the club's most recent arrivals, including Mubarak Wakaso, should be approaching something like peak fitness and be better placed to make more of a contribution to their push for form and victories.

The performances of the Ghanaian have epitomised Celtic's season since he flew in from Russia with love and hope. There have been brief glimpses of brilliance but it has not always been delivered when needed most. He did, though, score against Red Bull Salzburg in Austria.

As he added to his match-sharpness with his country on African Cup of Nations duty, Wakaso admitted: "I need to regain the heights I have achieved before. I'm working really hard towards that.

"Playing in the Europa League also helps because I remember I was at my best when I was playing in such competitions. I also played in the Champions League before, so I really hope to regain my best form."

A number of his team-mates must set themselves the same challenge and help their boss stack up the series of results he badly needs.

SO FAR, it has been a frustrating transition from Lennon to Deila, not only for the new boss but also for players, especially those who, through injury, have been unable to do their bit.

The good news is that Adam Matthews, Charlie Mulgrew, James Forrest and Mikael Lustig are edging ever closer to returning to action.

Matthews - missing since damaging a calf muscle at the end of August - is targeting a place in the side which heads to Dingwall this weekend to face the SPFL's bottom club.

The Welshman does not underplay the need to finally get into top gear.

He said: "It's an important match in our season as we need to get the three points to try to get a run going.

"Dingwall is not an easy place to get a result but we're confident that, if we play the way we can, we can win well.

"That's our aim. We'll take a win but we really want a performance as well. If we play the way we know we can, I'm sure we can do that."