Glasgow City cannot afford to “have a week where we take our foot of the gas” says head coach Leanne Ross as City head into three games in six days.

The SWPL champions travel to second-placed Celtic on Thursday, before welcoming Spartans on Sunday and SK Brann next Wednesday in their Champions League play-off first-leg tie.

Third-placed City have six games in 17 days in October.

And Ross says the schedule “needs to be looked at”.

“Every week is important,” the City head coach added. “We have a game every three or four days this calendar month, so it’s really difficult to have the time to work with the players on the pitch, rather than just get them recovered or prepared.”

With the expansion to a 12-team division, and the introduction of the split, teams play 32 games in the league season.

In the Women’s Super League in England, there are only 22 rounds of fixtures, and Ross is calling for the SWPL to “look at the structure” of Scotland’s top flight.

“It’s more exciting, but with that has brought more pressure and more games. I think’s it’s too much for the players, but it’s up to them to judge if it is.”

Both Celtic and City have enjoyed an undefeated start to the season, with Fran Alonso’s team the only side with a 100% record with seven wins from seven. However, Rangers top the table by a point having played a game more.

Despite their strong starts, neither boss is keen on labelling this early encounter as a title-defining match.

“Out of the top three, we were the only side not to drop points outside of the game against each other, but you need to make sure you take care of business in every game,” Ross said.

Alonso highlighted the “confidence” of his Celtic side, due to their flawless start but admitted it is still “early days”.

“I don’t think these games are definitive, regardless of the result,” the Spaniard said. “On paper, we are going to be playing another three times in the league, assuming we both finish in the top six.

“Thinking back to last year, we were eight points behind, and then we were just one minute away from winning the league. So whatever happens, it is still early days.”

Celtic have won their last three matches against City – twice in the league and the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden – but Alonso is wary his side “have to get everything spot on” to continue their fine run against the Petershill Park side.

“I think if we are at our best, then we have got a very good chance of getting the three points,” the Celtic manager said.

“But anything that is far away from our best, then they will punish us because they have got a lot of quality, they are great competitors and they are the champions for a reason.”