Celtic go into the final game before the split with familiar problems at the back and a few fresh worries thrown in.
St Mirren arrive at Parkhead this weekend, and there is at least a lift in the stands. The Green Brigade return in time for the run-in, which should sharpen the edge around the place.
On the pitch, though, it is the same story.
Colby Donovan is waiting on scan results, while Alistair Johnston has suffered another setback. Julian Araujo, however, could yet feature again this season, which is better than feared at first.
It leaves Martin O’Neill juggling again in a defensive unit that has never quite settled.
For all that, left-back is the one area without real concern.
Kieran Tierney has been one of the few constants. Since returning in the summer, he has dragged standards up when others have dipped. A Player of the Year contender without much argument.
That has not stopped Peter Grant offering a different view.
The former Celtic midfielder reckons Tierney should sit this one out, pointing to fatigue and the need for a spark. He said (Go Radio):
“I’m a big Kieran Tierney fan, but I would play Sarracchi. He sparks the team at this moment in time.
“He plays with that energy; he lifts the support. He puts crosses in the box; whether they’re good, bad, or indifferent, it puts the opposition under pressure.”
Marcelo Saracchi has not done much wrong when called upon. He is direct, aggressive, and happy to get the ball into the box early. Against a St Mirren side that will look to frustrate, that kind of urgency has its appeal.
It is not a slight on Tierney. More a reflection of how much football he has had to carry in a season where others have dropped in and out.
O’Neill may yet stick with his strongest option. With the title on the line, there is little room for sentiment or rotation unless it is forced.
Still, it is a rare luxury. Celtic have spent most of the campaign patching together a back line. Left-back is the one position where there is a genuine choice.
That situation will not last.
Saracchi is set to return to Boca Juniors in the summer, which leaves a gap to fill. The talk around Andy Robertson has not gone away either. The Scotland captain has been linked with a move to his boyhood club, and his recent Liverpool announcement has only added fuel to it.
Wages would be a sticking point, but it has at least moved the conversation from fantasy to possibility.
For now, though, the focus is on St Mirren. Celtic need a response, need control, and above all, need a defence that can hold together for ninety minutes.
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Sarraichi must have a good assist record gets good crosses first time Teirney the same nothing coming from right buy we are bare bones with one fit player cost second goal against dundee utd our wingers have to protect the left like maeda dont need to tackle just be upside early in the game after 50 mins opposition get tired we see them going down players head for drinks yes its to well ochrestated to not be planned last 5 league games ive seen it usually goalkeeper ref cant move him of the pitch away from home ball boys disappear balls further away from goals give time for players to get to mark men get the subs to do the job