Now right into Autumn Celtic put behind them the pre-Halloween set-back against Livingston on October 30th with a highly productive November both at home and abroad.
With a hectic December in front of us, games were fewer owing to a mid-month international break.
First up we visited the Hungarian of Budapest to play Ferncvaros in the Europe League.
After losing our first two games a matchday three win against the Hungarian champions had restored hope of potential progression from the group and indeed another win against them would secure third spot and post-Christmas European football in at least the new Europa Conference League.
This was a stellar performance from Celtic and the 3-2 scoreline flattered the hosts. It really did.
Abada pounced on loose play to set up Kyogo to open the scoring from the edge of the box after three minutes before the Hungarians equalised fortuitously eight minutes later when a speculative cross deflected in off of Juranovic.
But we deservedly regained our lead after a great Jota strike in off the post on 23 mins and should have extended it further before Abada finished a subline move started by Turnbull and set up by Kyogo on the hour mark.
Myrto Uzuni impressively scored late on to make it a nervy finish but 3 points were the least we deserved and post Christmas European football was secured.
Three days later we visited Dens Park where we brushed aside struggling Dundee 4-2 thanks to impressive doubles by both Kyogo and Jota and it was a shame that the internal break came at a point when we were firing on all cylinders.
Upon our return, we had to remain patient before gaining a 1-0 win in the League Cup semi-final on November 20th at Hampden Park against the holders St.Johnstone which in turn set up a final with Hibs who thrashed Rangers the following day 3-1 at the same venue.
The St.Johnstone game was not much to watch with the Perth side sitting in doggedly seemingly holding out for extra time before returning James Forrest lashed home the winner 73 mins.
Though the true highlight of the game was an incredible tribute by the Celtic fans to the recently departed Celtic legend Bertie Auld.
A few days later we visited Germany facing a mammoth task to get something against group leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
We found ourselves ahead thanks to an outrageous Juranovic penalty after Kyogo had been wiped out by Bayer keeper Lukas Hradecky followed by an incredible finish by Jota on 56 mins after a lightning pace counter-attack which had all come subsequent to Robert Andrich heading the hosts into an early lead.
Alas Andrich and Moussa Diaby scored late on and ended our chances of progression through the knockout stages of the Europa League.
A spirited effort none the less and we returned to domestic shores to see out a 2-1 win over Aberdeen on the 28th of November at Celtic Park with Jota and McGregor scoring either side of a Lewis Ferguson penalty which kept the home fries burning on the domestic title front at least.
Now onto a busy Christmas schedule that will see us undertake an incredible eight games across three competitions in just 24 days.
....Always A Tim! 