NEIL LENNON has targeted the end of the Motherwell game a week today as the season's first major staging post for his Treble-chasing side.
The Hoops boss believes the winter break will arrive at the perfect time for his players, but he wants them to grab all nine points up for grabs between now and then – starting tonight at Dundee – to ensure they hit the shutdown in prime position.
With a week off followed by a week's training camp in Marbella the carrot, Lennon is urging them to make one final effort to get to the break.
As he prepared to take his side to Dens Park this evening, then Easter Road on Saturday, he said: "We want to get these three games out of the way, then we will definitely give them a week off to relax.
"The mid-season break is probably coming at a good time for us as we've already played 32 games since the season began five months ago.
"But despite this schedule, the squad is vibrant.
"By the time the winter break is over, hopefully, we will have a full squad again."
Already five points clear in the title race, retaining the championship and booking the single qualification place for next season's Champions League is his No.1 priority
In the 32 games played in four competitions to date, Lennon has utilised his squad to the maximum with an astonishing 32 men having played some part.
Teenage starlet John Herron was the latest to be given his chance when he came on as a sub against Ross County at the weekend.
Lennon acknowledges that, when competing for four different trophies, using his resources to the maximum is vital.
"We had to use Efe Ambrose on Saturday against Ross County in a different position because we lost Mikael Lustig and Adam Matthews to injuries the day before the game," he said.
"It was also an opportunity to give John Herron a game.
"The kid deserved it. He's been playing very well all season, and that was his reward."
Lennon added: "We just need to keep going to the break as that will give us the chance to refresh everyone."
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