EUROPEAN action comes to the fore this week for Celtic as Ange Postecoglou’s side look for a way to ignite their Europa League aspirations.

Without a point so far in Group G, the double-header against Hungarian champions Ferencvaros could hold the key to moving up the table.

The reality, however, is that while European football adds a layer to the season and scope for further development, the main ambition of Celtic is to reclaim a title that was conceded so limply last term. And the likelihood is that it will come with a Champions League jackpot of direct entry into Europe's premier tournament. 

Recent results will have offered encouragement that such an achievement remains plausible. That there remain only four points between Celtic and league leaders Rangers despite three defeats suggests that the Ibrox side have lost some of the clinical element that defined their campaign last season.

Celtic remain in some suspense in games since they cannot afford to concede further ground but the tentative return of confidence will bode well for recent weeks.

The bonus for Celtic now is that they have a block of league games which should enable them to bring stability and points, albeit that they still face a tricky trip through to Easter Road for a game against Hibs.

Before that, there is a home game against St Johnstone and then after the trip east there is a run of home games against Livingston, Dundee and Aberdeen who have all had their struggles so far this season before squaring up to Hearts.

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If Postecoglou’s side can maximise their results and use home advantage to full effect then it offers scope to piece together a run of form and build up a head of steam that has proved to be elusive so far this term.

Certainly, the clean sheet against Motherwell and a game in which Celtic were rarely put under any real pressure would suggest that there are grounds for optimism. The defence has been an Achilles heel yet the current stats that show Celtic have actually conceded one goal fewer than Rangers this term and just one more than Dundee United – who currently boast the best defensive record in the league.

It should be noted that Rangers conceded only 13 goals in the entirety of last season’s campaign.

Celtic have scored more goals than any other team in the league so far with a haul of 21 to underline the effectiveness they have from middle to front.

With key players set to return to the squad, there is every reason for Postecoglou to trust that he may well have weathered the early storm that he walked into as he tried to bring stability to a team and a club in a state of flux.

Harnessing recent optimism and building on the wins at Pittodrie and Fir Park will be key to ensuring it is not a false dawn.