Brendan Rodgers has admitted that Celtic’s packed schedule is taking its toll as the team prepares for their three matches in six days.
After a midweek home win against Dundee United, the Hoops now face back-to-back away games against Ross County on Saturday and Dundee on Tuesday.
Rodgers didn’t shy away from voicing his concerns about the lack of a winter break, which has been a staple of the Scottish football calendar in previous years.
This season, the gruelling fixture list is catching up with teams, with several players sidelined due to injuries.
Speaking ahead of the Ross County clash, Rodgers said: [Celtic TV]
“We used to have it up here; we knew December was going to be a hard schedule getting through all of that, then you had your New Year game, then you have a couple of weeks to reset and refresh, then go again for the second part of the season.
“To then actually have more games in that period now… it’s a real challenge, you can’t deny that. We have three games in six days. Now, we will do everything we can to produce the best performances and results, however, it is a real heavy schedule and it’s there, so we have to get on with it, but it’s certainly not ideal.”
Celtic’s injury list includes Nicolas Kuhn, Daizen Maeda, and James Forrest, leaving the team with only one fit senior winger, Hyun-jun Yang. Luis Palma is also unavailable due to a family bereavement. The congested schedule has forced Rodgers to shuffle his squad and look for creative solutions to maintain performance levels.
The Hoops will aim to extend their commanding lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership despite the challenging circumstances. The next two games against Ross County and Dundee offer a chance to build further momentum, but with a stretched squad, Rodgers will need to carefully manage his players.
While Rodgers is keen to push through and focus on results, his comments underline the broader challenges faced by teams in the absence of a winter break. Balancing performance with player welfare remains a key test as the season progresses.
