fense, he points to the teams success on third down as proof.The Raiders are allowing opponents to convert 33.3 percent on third

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will assess the readiness of his international players ahead of Fridays clash with Kilmarnock. The Hoops travel to Rugby Park looking to at least consolidate their 10-point lead of Aberdeen at the top of the Scottish Premiership after the latest round of fixtures.Celtic had 14 players on international duty with Australia midfielder Tom Rogic and Honduras left-back Emilio Izaguirre only returning to Glasgow on Thursday. Kilmarnocks Souleymane Coulibaly (19) celebrates his goal at Celtic Park Costa Rica defender Cristian Gamboa and Israel midfielder Nir Bitton returned early from their lengthy travels and are both in contention to start against Killie.Mikael Lustig pulled out of the Sweden squad because of an ankle injury suffered in Celtics 3-0 victory over Inverness CT, and is doubtful for the match. Celtics Erik Sviatchenko has been speaking at an event promoting a Celtic FC Charity Foundation initiative Kolo Toure (groin) has also been struggling in recent weeks, while fellow central defender Jozo Simunovic has recovered from a knock.Rodgers said: Its something that isnt ideal. We had 14 players away over this break, over 50 per cent of your squad are away. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers refused to comment on suggestions that Steven Gerrard could join the club I would assume we have the most international players away yet we are the team who are playing on the Friday, which obviously means I will have to have a look at the team in terms of the set-up and the fitness of the players.So its not ideal preparation. They never usually are on the back of an international break, but certainly if we had an extra day, that would have benefited us greatly. Tom Rogic celebrates after scoring for Celtic in the Champions League Kilmarnock striker Souleymane Coulibaly was the last player to score in a domestic match against Celtic on September 24, before the Glasgow side rallied to win 6-1.And Killie could be relying on him again after striker Kris Boyd was ruled out for up to eight weeks with a thigh injury. Celtics Scott Sinclair admits itd be great to see Steven Gerrard at Parkhead Scott Boyd and Steven Smith have both shaken off injuries but Miles Addison (foot) is a major doubt.Charlee Adams and Callum McFadzean are back in training but might not make the squad following injury, while Dean Hawkshaw has stepped up his rehabilitation from a knee injury. Greg Kiltie and Dapo Kayode (both hamstring) remain out.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! Air Jordan Nz Online . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. Air Jordan Nz . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. http://www.airjordannz.com/ . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. Real Jordan Shoes Cheap . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. Cheap Jordans Nz . Kuznetsov, who was selected by the Capitals in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been playing for his hometown team Chelyabinsk Traktor of the KHL. ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Cornerback David Amerson has what he believes is the perfect remedy for the Raiders defense to counter the high altitude in Mexico City.Get off the field -- quickly -- so that Oaklands high-scoring offense can take over.Its a plan the Raiders had great success with against defending Super Bowl champion Denver two weeks ago and something they hope to continue Monday night against the Houston Texans.We put a big emphasis on it and guys really take it on, Amerson said Thursday. If we can go out there and get three-and-outs or turnovers, if we can just stay off the field and keep the ball in our offenses hands, well be good.The Raiders forced three-and-outs on five of the Broncos first six drives in Week 9, allowing them to build a comfortable early lead during a 30-20 win that gave Oakland sole possession of first place in the AFC West heading into its bye last week.Theyll try to match that against the Texans when the two teams play at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The altitude there is 7,382 feet -- nearly 1,700 feet higher than Mile High Stadium in Denver.That could be a pivotal factor against Houston, which is why Amerson feels its even more important this week for Oaklands defense to limit its time on the field.If we can have that same mentality going into every game I feel like we would be even more of a force than we already are, Amerson said. Theyve got some speedy guys on the outside so just staying locked in to it . playing fundamentally sound football, staying on top of guys and not giving up the big plays.Equally key will be the Raiders ability to slow down the Texans fifth-ranked running game while at the same time trying to stop Houston quarterback Brock Osweilers quick release.A lot of quarterbacks try to get rid of the ball quick, Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. said. Some hold iit a little bit longer but the good ones dont hold it too long.ddddddddddddWhenever you have those situations, guys are catching and running with the ball. So we have to be really good tacklers.The Raiders could get a lift from the expected return of cornerback Sean Smith, who has been out since suffering a shoulder injury on the second play from scrimmage against Tampa Bay on Oct. 30. Smith has been limited in practice this week but the team is optimistic he will start against Houston.DJ Hayden, who started at cornerback against Denver, will move back to the nickel corner if Smith does play.With or without Smith, Amerson believes the Raiders have improved significantly on defense since the beginning of the season. Although Oakland is 28th in yards allowed and 30th in pass defense, he points to the teams success on third down as proof.The Raiders are allowing opponents to convert 33.3 percent on third down, tied with Miami for lowest in the AFC and second overall behind Baltimore.With giving up all the points and yards early in the season, it really comes off a handful of plays, Amerson said. I dont think that defines us as a defense so its not surprising we can go out there, one of the top teams on third down. I feel like we should be one of the top teams on defense period. If we can just focus and eliminate ... all the little plays that go for 60, 70 yards ... well be up there with anybody in any category.Game notes Wide receiver Amari Cooper (back), running back Latavius Murray (ankle), left guard Kelechi Osemele (knee), center Rodney Hudson (knee) and defensive tackle Stacy McGee (ankle) were all limited for a second straight day.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '