Joe Ledley out to claim a clean sweep of festive wins

Joe Ledley has targeted a clean sweep of wins over the festive season to keep Celtic's Clydesdale Bank Premier League title hopes on course.

Neil Lennon's side trail leaders Rangers by three points, but get the chance to go level - for a couple of hours at least - against Hamilton Accies in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off at New Douglas Park.

A rearranged fixture at Celtic Park against Kilmarnock next Tuesday is then followed by home games against St Johnstone and Motherwell before the Old Firm derby at Ibrox on 2 January.

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"The Christmas period is one of the most vital parts of the campaign and can make or break your season," the 23-year-old midfielder told the Celtic View. "There are always a lot of games in a short amount of time. We have games on December 21, Boxing Day, December 29 and then on January 2.

"You can get injuries and suspensions, while some teams might be missing key players.

"It's a vital part of the season and a chance to gain points on other teams. If we can get a 100 per cent record over the Christmas period it would be a great achievement. So it's massive.

"Obviously we all want to win the league so this is important for the rest of the season."

Virtually an ever-present in the Celtic midfield since his summer transfer, Ledley is hoping to keep injury-free for the second part of the season.

"Last season I had an operation so I missed around eight to ten weeks of games and was disappointed then," he said. "But I came back from that and have come back stronger and better, and I will just try to continue playing games week-in week-out. I have managed to keep away from injuries so hopefully I can continue this to the end of the season.

"The only one I have missed was the St Mirren game and that was due to suspension which was obviously a disappointment.

"I'm just glad I got back into the team and hopefully I can stay there until the end of the season and win some trophies."

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While Ledley has been getting the nod in midfield from Lennon, Mexican international Efrain Juarez admits he is worried by his lack of first-team chances at Celtic.

Juarez, who has started only four games since his 3 million move in the summer, said: "I have started to despair a little. I want to play as much as I can and start games.

"I know I must work hard to turn a new page in my Celtic career. It is very important to play well for the team to keep me ready for the Mexico team."

But he added: "I am very happy here. It is a different country with a new culture. Life is good, Glasgow is a city that has everything and the people have been very good to me."