Focus on league football now

Celtic twice squandered the chance of European football this season, losing out in the Champions League to Braga, before missing out on a place in the Europa League to Utrecht. However, defender Glenn Loovens insists all they can do is focus on the SPL and ensure another chance of progressing in Europe next year. He said: "Everyone wants to play European football but that's just the way it is this season. We made a mistake away against Utrecht and there is nothing we can do about it now. We have to make sure we do well for the league title and that we are in Europe next season."

Rivals Rangers undoubtedly have a busier fixture schedule than Celtic to cope with over the next few months. But, with both teams locked on the same points at the top of the SPL after six games, Loovens says it is too early to tell whether that will work in the Hoops' favour. He said: "You can look at it two ways - they get more games so it's more physical and a bit harder for them. But everyone wants to play in Europe and when you play in Europe you get better as a team. You play against better opponents and that's how you grow as a team."