Brendan Rodgers told Celtic support act is starving for chances as title race 'sting in the tale' threat emerges

Brendan Rodgers has been told his Celtic 'support acts' have been starved of chances, but that a gruelling fixture list will mean he's forced to utilise them.

The Irishman made the plea himself over a jam-packed fixture list, asking the SPFL what they can do to help Scottish teams in Europe with a testing trip to Dingwall on Saturday followed by a journey to square off with Champions League big-hitters Atletico Madrid. Rodgers had to dig deep against St Mirren and David Turnbull answered the call with aplomb, scoring a screamer but passing up a penalty. South Korean youngster Oh then hit the winner after a period of frustration.

There were notable absentees for the Scottish Premiership champions with Cameron Carter-Vickers left out and speedy Daizen Maeda only coming off the bench. And former Hoops star Mark Wilson insists Rodgers' balancing act over rotation with three games in less than a week means he will have to call on the second string more often. He's been warned by the pundit that Ross County will be ready to put a 'sting in the tale' of the Hoops pursuit to go eight points clear of Rangers.

He told Sky Sports: "They kept plugging away, creating chances. I think Rodgers utilising the strength of his bench, the support act if you like, coming on to play a major part is what is needed when you have so many fixtures.

"It was always good to see Oh get a goal, he's been on the bench for long periods, playing bit part. When he got the opportunity, when his team needed him, he stepped up and got the three points.

"He's been starved of chances, when he's come on the games have sometimes been dead, Celtic taking their foot off the gas...He has to displace Kyogo, he has to put pressure on him and the only way to do that