The SPFL confirmed earlier in the week that there will be no winter break in Scottish football for the 2024/25 season. Such news came as a disappointment to Celtic, who have utilised the gap in action wisely in recent times.

Now, though, it has been scrapped for the forthcoming campaign. This means players will have a much more arduous schedule, with increasing demand being put on their already tireless bodies.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is not impressed by the news. Particularly in his first spell in charge of the club, the Irishman utilised the breaks to full effect.

His team came back improved, and a cut above in the second half of seasons but this was not just under his stewardship, as other gaffers such as Neil Lennon and Ange Postecoglou ensured the gaps were used productively.

Going forward, there won’t be an opportunity for Rodgers and other managers across the division to work with their players uninterrupted by matches midway through the season. This has left the double-treble-winning boss frustrated: “It’s disappointing”, he said (Celtic FC on YouTube).

“We’ll have to find periods within the season to recover the players, because they’re not robots.

“The season starts earlier as well, so we have to keep an eye on the physicality of the players.

“From my time being up here the first time, and now, the winter break has worked really well. We’ll adapt and take that on board next season.”