Celtic will return to league action this weekend as they travel to Almondvale to take on David Martindale's Livingston. The two sides couldn't be further apart, with Celtic sitting at the top of the table and Livingston rooted to the foot of the Premiership, with all signs pointing towards the West Lothian side's six-year tenure in the top flight coming to an end.
A ground that has so often seen Celtic slip up, Ange Postecoglou seemed to exercise the Almondvale demons. Brendan Rodgers picked up from where the Aussie left off earlier this season as he comfortably disposed of the Lions with 10 men, after Joe Hart picked up an early red card that could have been disastrous for the Hoops.
Those with strong memories may remember that Reo Hatate was the star man on that day, driving forward and winning the penalty that he eventually converted to fire the Hoops ahead, and this weekend's fixture could see the return of the Japanese playmaker to the Celtic squad for the first time since 2nd January.
Hatate Impact
The former Kawasaki Frontale midfielder was spotted in training before the international break, with Brendan Rodgers confirming that the Japanese international was only taking part in individual training and would be reassessed following the break.
Hatate has been sorely missed in this Celtic team, especially when the side are chasing a game, as without Hatate, you really are lacking someone who can grab proceedings by the scruff of the neck, drive the team forward and play that risk-taking pass that can help unlock the rigid and organised defences that Celtic often encounters in Scottish football.
It's most likely that we won't see Hatate step in from the start, but an appearance from the bench will be a welcome boost for Celtic as the title race draws ever closer to a conclusion.
Return of The Mac
Callum McGregor is expected back after the international break, missing Scotland's most recent round of fixtures to help build up his fitness for the title run-in.
McGregor is the key that links the defence and the attack, and the backline looks far more exposed without the skipper covering the ground and offering an option for a pass.
Whilst Tomoki Iwata has earned plaudits for his performances in place of the captain, it should be the 30-year-old who returns to the starting eleven in West Lothian.
Brendan's SFA Hearing
Brendan Rodgers could be in for a stressful few days as he prepares to find out what sort of action the SFA will take against him after his scathing assessment of Don Robertson and John Beaton's performances in the champions' 2-0 loss at Tynecastle against Hearts.
With Livingston and Rangers away both coming up in the next two fixtures, Celtic cannot afford to have the manager suffer the harshest of consequences - a touchline ban.
However, this is a first offence for Rodgers who doesn't have much of a track record for this sort of thing, so the SFA may take things lightly with a simple fine or even a warning.
James McKenzie // @JamesWHMcKenzie