THE NUMBER nine has been achingly synonymous with Celtic of late.

It holds great significance in the immediate future, too. The Hoops will grace the football pitch nine times in the month of December in a hectic schedule.

That's challenging at the best of times, and for the best of squads, never mind to one which, within the first 90 minutes of the scheduled 810, lose three of their key men to injury. But Celtic never do anything the easy way, do they?

The less said on Thursday night’s game the better. It was far from a free-flowing masterclass, or a classic Ange Postecoglou showing. Nevertheless, it was also a crucial three points – perhaps even more so given the state of play in which Celtic saw out the match out.

The dark cloud that hangs over the night is, of course, the injuries to Anthony Ralston, Jota and Stephen Welsh.

The manager has admitted it himself, and at that moment all of us knew it within ourselves too: Ralston's is a worry. He has been tagged 'the bricky' – a warrior, a fighter for the cause, a no-nonsense man. The right-back rarely hits the deck, and certainly never stays down when he does. He did last night and that is an instant worry.

It’s no understatement, nor surprise, to label this period in Ralston's career his best yet. His manager has overwhelming trust in him, he is adored by his fans and, more broadly, Scottish football supporters tip their hat to his journey and story. This is a damning blow.

WATCH: How will Celtic navigate latest injury drama? - video debate

The concern doesn’t loom over Ralston’s replacement. Josip Juranovic will comfortably slot into his favoured role, as he did last night. The concern is Ralston’s rhythm, the tenacity, the form he brings into the side. The Croatian’s switch also causes a domino effect on the left.

How many times did we as fans huff and puff at the lack of consistency along the backline last season? Put it this way, thank goodness I didn’t have a column then or every week I’d have been shoehorning in ‘consistency is key’ somewhere.

While it hasn’t been a ‘set’ pairing of centre-backs, again due to injuries, the rotation has been as minimal as possible. Stephen Welsh’s agonising expression before departing the field last night suggests the revolving door may be on the move again.

The injury to Ralston was the biggest immediate worry because it was so out of character. But undoubtedly, the biggest loss to the squad – in this month of all months – will be Jota.

Celtic, at this moment in time, simply cannot replace him. The gap in quality between the gifted Portuguese and his stand-in, Mikey Johnston, is alarmingly large.

A zip, urgency and spark is missing in the side when he is not present. It will be truly awful if he must spend an extended period on the sidelines.

The faith must be kept until we know more. Despair must have been running through Postecgolou's veins.

Get the rosary beads out for Ralston, Jota and Welsh - but also for the manager. They’re needed.