Former Celtic striker Andy Walker discussed Brendan Rodgers’ previous comments about the tough fixture schedule with no winter break in Scotland due to the new Champions League format.
Last season, Celtic were out of domestic action for 19 days, from January 2nd until the 21st.
However, this season, the Hoops will have played five extra games during the same period.
With Rodgers highlighting the 33-day break that RB Leipzig were given from December 20th until January 12th as a positive, the Irishman enjoyed Leipzig’s recent match against Werder Bremen, which he believed was played at a more intense level due to the Bundesliga winter break.
Walker instead does not believe that Rodgers has any room for criticism, citing his part in the end of the Scottish Premiership winter break, which has meant that Celtic have played 9 games in a month after tonight’s game against Dundee at Dens Park.
Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson also faced criticised by Walker over the fixture congestion.
Walker said: (Go Radio Football Show), “No, (I don’t sympathise with Rodgers). His first port of call should be going up the stairs, speaking to Michael Nicholson, it’s the clubs that voted to end the winter break. If you want to bring it back, then bring it back.
“But I seem to remember they wanted to end it because Celtic wanted a chance to go further in Europe, which was a reasonable thing to say, at the time. As with all of these things. It’s within the clubs themselves to change things.
“If Brendan wants that winter break back. Go up the stairs, and speak to Michael Nicholson. See if you can put it forward to other clubs. See if you can get it back and it might help Celtic in Europe given that the European schedule has changed. If Brendan is really serious about that, then get Celtic to see if you can get other clubs on board.”
Whether Celtic would be able to bring back the winter break remains to be seen.
With 11 other teams in the Scottish Premiership, a majority of the league would have to vote for the reinstatement of the winter break, whether it would be in the previous format from the beginning of January until near the end when the Champions League resumes.
However, the Bundesliga break is slightly earlier, and whether teams in Scotland would favour this is also up for debate.
With Boxing Day games and New Year Glasgow derbies becoming tradition, it’s tough to see a break taking place as early in December as the Bundesliga likes to do.
