5 things we spotted at Celtic training as wildcard Johnny Kenny appears on the scene to stake his claim
Ange Postecoglou cast an eye over his squad at Lennoxtown as they prepare to face Livingston.
A real test awaits for Celtic this Sunday as they make the troublesome trip to Livingston.
The Tony Macaroni Arena hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the Parkhead side in recent years and it's a venue they've already been defeated on this season.
But Ange Postecoglou 's side are on a mission to wrestle the Premiership title away from Rangers and can make a real statement by returning for West Lothian with maximum points.
David Martindale's side are in-form, however, and have surged into the top six.
It's a fascinating clash and Celtic went through their final preparations at Lennoxtown on Friday.
Here's five things we spotted.
A word from the skipper
Callum McGregor admitted this week it's part of his remit as captain to make sure the title tension sweeping Glasgow doesn't filter through to his team-mates.
Celtic players often wax lyrical about how the skipper lets his football do the talking on the training pitch but it's often overlooked how well the midfielder speaks about the game.
McGregor impresses every time he steps in front of the media and it's safe to assume that translates to how he helps lead Postecoglou's squad.
He was pictured offering some words of wisdom to Greg Taylor, perhaps making good on that promise to shield his team from the hysteria.
Josip the joker
Not only do they both play right-back, but Josip Juranovic looks to be the heir to Mikael Lustig in the hijink stakes, too.
The Swede was well known as Celtic's joker during a trophy-laden career and it now appears Juranovic is taking on that mantle.
Every week the cameras catch the Croatian cracking jokes, raising smiles and doing whatever it is he likes to do with that hat.
It's an interesting contrast for a player who is 100 per cent business from the moment he steps onto the pitch.
Ange contemplates
Much of Postecoglou's Friday press conference focused on the challenge Livingston will present his team.
He'll be all too aware of Celtic's ropey record at the Tony Macaroni, having added to it himself with an early season defeat.
Postecoglou has watched his team grind out results of late, in contrast to the bombastic performances at the turn of the year but this is surely a fixture where he'll take three points in whatever manner they can be procured.
The manager looked in contemplative mood as he prepared for one of his most important team selections of the campaign.
Eyes on the prize
Postecoglou will certainly be pinning hopes on Jota rediscovering his groove as part of that selection.
The on-loan Benfica winger was unplayable in the first few weeks of 2022 but hasn't quite dazzled to the same extent over the past few fixtures.
Still just 22, inconsistency is to be expected but Postecoglou spoke of ensuring players hit their peak just in time for the run-in.
He'll hope Jota hasn't already passed his for the campaign given the stern test Livi will give Celtic's forward line this weekend.
Either way, the Portuguese star was a picture of focus on Friday.
Kenny in the mix
Johnny Kenny was the most low-key acquisition in Celtic's January shopping spree, yet the young Irishman still arrived in Glasgow with. burgeoning reputation.
He hasn't yet been seen in a first-team capacity but was snapped in the thick of training on Friday.
Celtic will have Giorgos Giakoumakis back for their trip to Livi but with Kyogo still out, could Kenny be drafted in as a backup option this weekend?
Game-changers off the bench have been in short supply of late, so perhaps Postecoglou is considering turning to a wildcard in the 18-year-old striker.