As Celtic come through a busy spell in their season, Brendan Rodgers has been focusing on the importance of player recovery to ensure the squad remains in peak condition for the challenges ahead.

With international breaks and midweek games adding to the intensity, the Celtic manager has made it clear that allowing players the right amount of rest is crucial for maintaining performance levels.

Speaking to Celtic TV, Rodgers highlighted how the team balanced recovery and preparation during the recent international break. While some players were away representing their countries, those who remained in Glasgow were given a chance to recharge.

“The players who stayed back had a chance to recover,” Rodgers said. “We played in Sligo midweek, which was a great exercise for us. After that, some of the players got a bit of breathing space to rest and recharge for the next batch of games.”

Rodgers’ approach shows a clear understanding that recovery is just as essential as the hard work put in on the training pitch. He’s been mindful of giving his players time to recuperate, especially during an intense stretch of games.

“They’ve been back in training since Monday, and we’re preparing well for the weekend,” Rodgers added, indicating that the players have now returned to training refreshed and ready to go. This methodical approach to balancing rest and preparation is aimed at keeping his squad in top shape as they head into another busy period of fixtures.

Rodgers knows the importance of getting the balance right between pushing his players and ensuring they don’t burn out. “Recovery is as important as training hard,” he stressed, acknowledging that managing fatigue and maintaining high standards on the pitch is key to Celtic’s continued success this season.

We saw maybe some of the players wilt just before the break when they had to dig deep ti grab a win over Ross County. After a punishing night in Dortmund just five days prior, the County game in the highlands and the travelling involved clearly took it’s toll on the players. The great thing is they didn’t let it effect the end result.

As Celtic prepare for the next phase of the campaign, it’s clear that Rodgers is carefully managing the squad’s workload to ensure they remain fit, motivated, and ready for the challenges ahead.