CELTIC will have six very difficult games in the Champions League over the next couple of months but only time will tell what impact that has in terms of the Premiership title race.
When you are travelling away in midweek to play quality sides, that can take a lot out of your legs and take a lot out of you psychologically. If you look back over the years, teams find it difficult to come back from European ties and win in the league at the weekend.
Celtic will say that they have got a big squad and they can cope with that but it is hard when you are having to make a handful of changes each game to keep everyone at the level you want them to be at.
It will be an issue for Brendan Rodgers, but it is a great one for him to have and one he would, of course, rather be presented with than not.
If they could somehow get out of their group and into the knock-out round, or if they drop into the Europa League, that will take a lot of their time up and will take a lot of effort.
I think Rangers, Aberdeen and Hearts will be happy that Celtic are in the Champions League and they will look to take advantage of any slip-ups that they make.
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They are there representing Scotland, which is great because we have been in the doldrums for too many years. Our game needs our teams to be doing well in Europe.
But it is a challenge for Celtic and can they handle it? We will find out when they play these games and how they fare in the Premiership.
I am not saying that it will be an advantage for the teams that will challenge Celtic but it will take a lot out of them. We will have to wait and see how it goes and if that affects their Premiership form.
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