It's been a relentless season for Celtic so far as they surged to the top of the Scottish Premiership and returned to the Champions League - and things aren't slowing down during the winter break.
The Sydney Super Cup is just around the corner as Ange Postecoglou looks to take advantage of the World Cup break, with another busy transfer window also rapidly approaching. Postecoglou hasn't been shy in discussing the player trading model at Celtic Park as he looks to reshape the side into a Champions League force after their group stage return.
With the countdown on to the January transfer window the Australian boss expects a "natural evolution" of the squad when it comes to letting players go and that there is "no fear" over cashing in when the timing is right. The Celtic boss has also emphasised the importance of the clashes with Sydney FC and Everton to his plans by shutting down Scotland's attempts to call up the likes of Greg Taylor, David Turnbull, Anthony Ralston and James Forrest for the friendly with Turkey.
The club will look to build momentum from the league to the friendly competition with the boss stating: “We’re obviously taking a team to Australia. People have bought tickets and want to see the best possible Celtic side there."
When Celtic return from their Australian adventure the players will also be put through their paces at a training camp in Portugal with a friendly with Rennes on December 10 poised to be announced. That will also offer some of the fringe players the chance to show they can compete with a side who are regulars on the Europa League stage.
But what players are most in need of a chance during the World Cup break? Record Sport goes over the players who will be desperate to prove themselves in Oz.
Oliver Abildgaard
Following his summer arrival from Rubin Kazan, Abildgaard has been kept in cold storage by Postecoglou. An injury to captain Callum McGregor appeared to set up the Dane for a run at the first-team, but that has so far failed to materialise.
Postecoglou opted to reshape his midfield engine room as Matt O'Riley dropped into a deeper role, while veteran Aaron Mooy was brought into the starting XI. Abildgaard has been forced to bide his time and quietly build his fitness behind the scenes while making cameos off the bench.
A five-week break could allow the loanee to prove he is ready for a run in the first-team. When the league resumes on December 17 the midfielder enforcer will hope his waiting game has paid off with time ticking on his season-long deal.
Conor Hazard
The Northern Ireland international hasn't had a look in under Postecoglou having been bombed out of the squad to allow Vasilis Barkas and Scott Bain to fight it out for the number one spot during the Australian's early tenure before the arrival of Joe Hart. Following the arrival of the England cap Hazard failed to earn a single minute of competitive action, before he was shipped out on loan to HJK Helsinki.
Having lifted the Finnish title, Hazard is now set to return to Glasgow's east end and make a push to challenge Hart and Benjamin Siegrist for a regular place in the matchday squad. While he impressed in the Veikkausliiga on his season-long loan, a solid showing during the break could be vital for the stopper's future at Celtic.
Yosuke Ideguchi
Ideguchi 's Celtic career so far has been derailed by injury, but having returned to training at Lennoxtown he has struggled to make a first-team case to Postecoglou. The Japan international has managed just one start since making the move to Celtic Park in January, and has not played a single minute of competitive action this term.
The strength in depth at the heart of the midfield has seen Postecoglou stick with a tried and tested formula when it comes to his midfield, while Ideguchi looks to prove his fitness behind the scenes. Ideguchi has had to watch his fellow countrymen Kyogo, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda impress at Celtic Park and will be hoping impressive showings in Sydney can change the direction of his Parkhead career.
Scott Bain
The 30-year-old served as back-up to Joe Hart last season, but has fallen down the pecking order at Celtic Park following the summer arrival of Benjamin Siegrist. The 30-year-old hasn't played a single game so far this season, and will be desperate for a chance between the sticks in Oz.
The goalkeeper could be facing a decision on his future having drifted from first-choice under Neil Lennon to third-choice under Postecoglou. But there could be time to revive his Celtic career during the World Cup break.
David Turnbull
The talented midfielder has struggled for regular game time this term with Aaron Mooy becoming a regular in Postecoglou's starting line-up this term, with the 23-year-old scoring during a rare start against Ross County to lead the league leaders into the winter break. The rumour mill has been slowly turning with talk of a move away from Celtic for the 23-year-old.
It's unlikely Postecoglou will green light an exit for the Scotland cap with Turnbull still having a bright future for club and country. The Sydney Super Cup offers a massive chance for the midfielder to show he can fit the Australian's vision for Celtic when the league restarts.
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