As Celtic have already played their first fixture of 2023 here is a look at the next five fixtures for the league leaders during the month of January.

Due to the World Cup being so late in the calendar, the typical winter break in Scottish football has already taken place leaving for a number of fixtures to be completed in January as teams wouldn’t usually return to action until mid to late January.

The final game of the next five games will take place at the end of the month as Ange Postecoglou’s side make the journey to Tannadice to take on Dundee United in a late afternoon kick-off.

Here are Celtic’s five opponents before we move into February.

Three SPFL matches, one Viaplay Cup semi-final and one Scottish cup tie:

• Kilmarnock (H)
• Kilmarnock (N)
• St Mirren (H)
• Morton (H)
• Dundee United (A)

The Hoops remain nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership following the 2-2 draw at Ibrox, and they hope to keep that intact or further extend the lead.

Celtic tore Kilmarnock apart in August when they first faced each other this season and will look for a similar outcome. Killie looks as though they are beginning to turn things around but this match gives Postecoglou’s side the opportunity to extend their lead to 12 points as challengers Rangers don’t play until a day later.

It’s then a trip to Hampden once again for the reigning League Cup holders who shall look to book their place in the Viaplay Cup semi-final as a huge Celtic support is expected at the national stadium. The League Cup was the first trophy won by Ange Postecoglou’s team, and they will be looking to retain the silverware.

St Mirren remains the only team in the league to have beaten the league leaders this season, and Celtic may be out to get some revenge. The performance in Paisley was well below par but this should be a very different match as it is at Celtic Park.

The game at home to Morton in the Scottish Cup could allow for Postecoglou to make some changes to the team and give players who don’t always get too many minutes a chance to impress. Alistair Johnston made his debut in the New Year derby, but other signings, Yuki Kobayashi and Tomkoi Iwata will be looking to get some game time. This could also be another chance to see youngster Rocco Vata get an outing again.

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Dundee United away rounds things, and although the Hoops hit nine the last time they visited, this will likely be a more difficult game. If Celtic can get a maximum of nine points in the league, it will set them up nicely for the remaining ten matches before the split.

It would also be a huge boost to once again have a cup final to look forward to, as well as progression in the Scottish Cup.