The international break is over and Celtic can now focus on perhaps the most important part of the season.
This is where there are no breaks and straight-up football, three times a week, and in the toughest of competitions.
Celtic are flying high in the Premiership and also have a crucial League Cup final clash at Hampden against Rangers to look forward to.
But the most difficult part of this will be Celtic dealing with the second half of their Champions League campaign.
There is a chance of Brendan Rodgers guiding the team to a top-eight finish, which would be incredible, but they have to win the majority of their games.
The toughest test Celtic have remaining is a mouth-watering showdown against Aston Villa on January 29.
Paul Lambert says Celtic and Aston Villa won’t play weakened sides for Champions League clash
Lambert played for Celtic and was in the dugout for Villa, so he understands the size of both clubs and the pressures that come with it.
This is the first time Celtic and Villa will meet, with both winning the European Cup in their history and now pushing towards those knockout stages.
Regardless of the situation when the game comes about, Lambert is certain that strong XIs will be played, as he also factored in the England v Scotland scenario, as he told The Football News Show.
“The Villa game will be tough,” said Lambert. “Depending on where Villa are, whether they can qualify directly or they don’t.
“You have got the Scotland and England thing there as well. I don’t think the teams will rest players or go weak. I think that will be a really key game.
What John McGinn has said about facing Celtic
From Stiliyan Petrov to Martin O’Neill, many figures of the past have a great association with both teams.
But in John McGinn’s case, he is the Aston Villa captain and a boyhood Celtic fan, so it will be an extra special night for him.
He will be up against some familiar faces, including retired Scotland international Callum McGregor, who is the captain of Celtic and the heartbeat of his side, just like McGinn is for Villa.
As you can imagine, when Celtic were drawn up against Villa, one of the first people the media wanted to speak to was McGinn and this is what he had to say at the time.
“I am absolutely delighted it’s in January,” admitted McGinn to PLZ Soccer. “So, I had that two days with his phone off. Then, when I found out it was the last game and I was like ‘right, I will deal with that after Christmas’.
“But I just knew. I wasn’t actually watching the draw because I knew it was a one-in-four chance. As soon as I heard my phone buzzing, I thought ‘oh no!’, so I knew. All my pals. All my family. I am sure they will be wanting Celtic to win. But it’s something I have dealt with in the past with St Mirren and Hibs. I have got a job to do with Villa. I am sure it will be an exciting game for everyone.
