By Ryan McDonald

Copyright dailyrecord

Five weeks into the season and the honeymoon period for Celtic’s summer signings is already over. The Hoops are bracing themselves for a relentless run of games – two a week from now until Christmas, bar the international break. And that means Brendan Rodgers will need to shuffle his pack, rotate his big-hitters and inject fresh legs into the side. The transfer window may have been a damp squib but the champions still boast an embarrassment of riches, especially in midfield. Skipper Callum McGregor might be 32, but he remains the heartbeat of this Celtic side. And don’t expect the captain to be handed a breather when Celts rock up at Firhill this afternoon. Standing in their way of a Premier Sports Cup semi-final spot are Partick Thistle, as the holders eye another Hampden trip next month. McGregor will almost certainly lead them out, but Rodgers could still ring the changes with one eye firmly on Wednesday’s Europa League opener in Belgrade. Viljami Sinisalo has looked assured between the sticks and could now be promoted to Celtic’s cup keeper. Cameron Carter-Vickers won’t be risked, meaning academy graduate Dane Murray could be given another chance to impress. Man City loanee Jahmai Simpson-Pusey is still waiting on his debut but may finally see action from the bench if the game goes Celtic’s way. Marcelo Sarrachi caught the eye at Rugby Park last week, but Kieran Tierney is desperate for minutes as he builds back towards peak fitness. Record buy Arne Engels has been a frustrated bystander so far, just like fellow midfield fringe men Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo. But £11million man Engels and the ex-Dundee star McCowan look to be ahead of their Portuguese pal in the pecking order. Kelechi Iheanacho enjoyed a dream debut at Rugby Park, climbing off the bench to slam home a dramatic late penalty. But the ex-Man City hitman has barely kicked a ball in a year, and Rodgers needs to get him up and firing. Fellow new Bhoy Seb Tounekti also sparkled with a man of the match display, although Michel-Ange Balikwisha has struggled by being shoehorned out wide on the right – something Rodgers says is “on me”. That could see the £5m winger dropped, with Tounekti shifted across and Daizen Maeda restored to his natural left-hand side. Defenders Midfielders Attackers