In terms of hazardous distractions, at this stage of the season they don't get much bigger for Celtic.

The Betfred Cup was claimed long ago. The Ladbrokes Premiership trophy is just settling back down in the familiar surroundings of the Celtic Park trophy room for at least another year's stay.

So far, it's been a fantastic season for the team from the East End of Glasgow up until this point. It is now only a handful of games away from being an historic one.

Read more: James Forrest holding out for Stuart Armstrong to commit to Celtic

Thirty nine domestic games have come and gone with only the merest whiff of defeat along the way. Most notably Rangers, St Johnstone and Motherwell have taken the lead over Celtic at various stages of this campaign. In all three occasions, none of them held on for long enough to even claim a point.

There have been draws and hiccups along the way, but under Brendan Rodgers this Celtic team arrive at Easter attempting to roll in a new era of domination backed up by an unbeaten domestic campaign.

Six Premiership games stand in the way. One, potentially two, William Hill Scottish Cup games as well.

Indeed, it is that semi-final tie a week on Sunday against Rangers that in the eyes of many Hoops fans takes prime focus. A win over their Glasgow rivals and of course their team is just one game off a triumphant treble.

Before they get to that much-anticipated Hampden date, though, there is the matter of an arduous trip north to Dingwall to contend with first.

It's a venue which proved tricky earlier this season, despite the emphatic scoreline. Back in October Rodgers' men ran out 4-0 winners but it was a game which hung in the balance right up to the 83rd minute when Stuart Armstrong eased Celtic into a 2-0 lead.

Up against a team whose Premiership future is still to be decided, no encouragement should be given. James Forrest, the Celtic winger, insists none will be as he stresses the impending Old Firm clash will not distract the champions from their unbeaten run quest.

Read more: James Forrest holding out for Stuart Armstrong to commit to Celtic

“It is a massive game but the manager does that really well," he said. "He’s always preparing us for the next game, there’s no point looking one ahead even though it’s a big game.

“We will be preparing all week for Ross County and then obviously once the Rangers game comes along we’ll take care of that."

It is only natural for Celtic's supporters and players to be excited about that semi-final. For various reasons.

Not only is it an opportunity to bring them within 90 minutes of a treble and claim their fourth Old Firm win this campaign, it is a fixture that proved significant 12 months ago.

At the same stage last year Rangers triumphed on penalties to trigger the starting process for the Rodgers revolution. For the players, it is a game that provided a low point to what was a title-winning season, but Forrest says those who featured in that game will not draw on their pain for inspiration.

“I don’t know if it will be motivation for us or not," he said. "The gaffer hasn’t mentioned it.

“I can’t see us looking back at that because we didn’t win it last year. There’s no point focusing it, that’s in the past now.

“We just need to look forward now.

“All the boys are positive and confident right now. We just need to take that into the game."

The 26-year-old winger is encouraged by the fact a rematch with Pedro Caixinha's men will come just six days later at Ibrox in is the final meeting of the two on league duty. If both these games can be navigated successfully - along with Sunday's Dingwall trip - then that unbeaten run will be within touching distance of being completed.

Read more: James Forrest holding out for Stuart Armstrong to commit to Celtic

“Yeah it is [a big two games]," said Forrest. "We know we play them on the Sunday then the Saturday.

“But as I say, the manager will just focus on the first game. Once we get that game out the way the focus will then shift on to the game at Ibrox

“But obviously the main one is the semi-final."

Celtic should be entering Hampden a week on Sunday from a position of great strength, both mentally and physically.

Regardless of Sunday's Ross County result, Rodgers and his team have great confidence on the back of their achievements this season, while on a personnel front they continue to grow stronger.

Moussa Dembele has returned to playing duty in the last week while Leigh Griffiths, injured playing for Scotland against Slovenia, is now back in training.

Forrest admits there is an added buzz about the place as the Hoops' formidable front men get back to fitness, and added: “You want your big players back, no matter what time of the season.

“It’s good we have got Moussa back. He came on against Kilmarnock and he’s got the Ross County game before we play Rangers in the semi final.

“We are buzzing to have him back in the squad.”